Lagos — Last week, Lagos Island was in a festive mood and the rich cultural heritage of Lagos was on display.

It was the official hand-over of the new reconstructed Lagos City Hall by Governor Babatunde Fashola, 13 years after, precisely in 1997 when a mysterious fire gutted it.

Indeed, the edifice is an architectural master-piece and the people, adored in their various traditional attires came all out to witness the ceremony. It was a carnival-like setting that had the crème de la crème of the society in attendance.

Fashola, who said the new City Hall would become the newest address for entertainment and tourism, added that it would also serve as a reference point for social engagements and business in the state.

"To the glory of God, for the benefits of humanity, I declare open the Lagos City Hall, restored as a monument of pride, a salute to the courage of its builders and restorer, a building that refused to bow to the torch of arson," Fashola asserted.

According to him, the Hall would be managed on behalf of the State and Local Government by a team of Nigerian consultants.

"The team will oversee bookings, usage, maintenance and security in and around the building. The Banquet Hall will be dedicated to the honour of Habeeb A. Fasinro," Fashola stated. Fasinro was the former Town Clerk of the Council when the Hall was opened in 1968.

The Governor noted that the completion of the project represents the restoration of a historical monument that symbolises the courage of civil servants, who had a clear vision that a City Hall was necessary for Lagos.

He acknowledged the vision and courage of the initiators of the Lagos City Hall, saying they had to make do with virulent criticisms about the viability of the project even before it started.

He recalled that the City Hall performed multi-faceted roles, acting as the melting pot for the people for several decades and also famous for keeping many records of births during the period until tragedy struck.

"Sometime in 1997, a major tragedy struck the under belly of the proud monument of Lagos; it was engulfed by fire in very suspicious circumstances that suggested arson. The charred remains of our City Hall became a sore to all who beheld her. It endured the harsh treatment of the elements, rain and blistering sun, day after day, year after year and nobody seemed to have a clue about what to do until another man of courage appeared to confront what everybody had avoid," the Governor recalled.

Also speaking, former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, under whom the reconstruction commenced in 2007, said it was a thing of great joy that his party, Action Congress, has succeeded in restoring the dignity of the City Hall as it promised then.

He expressed gratitude to all Lagosians for believing in him even when many cynics thought it was impossible to bring back the Lagos City Hall by supporting with their votes and making it possible for the contractors to work without inhibitions.

According to him, on that day, he felt proud to act as a father to Fashola and that he would also ensure that he does not get misled.

In his address, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, also clad in his traditional royal outfit commended the spirit of friendship that is waxing strong between Governor Fashola and Bola Tinubu.

First Military Governor of Lagos, Rtd General Mobolaji Johnson, solicited for adoption of good maintenance culture by the people so that the City Hall can remain in good state.

General Johnson, who recalled that the commissioning of the city hall was one of his first assignments in 1968, said it was a thing of great joy that it has been restored to a modern state.

Earlier, Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson, said Tinubu had on May 24, 2007 performed the turning of the sod to commence the rehabilitation work after the contract was awarded to Messrs O.A.O Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited.

"The rehabilitation works were completed in November, 2009. The new City Hall is equipped with state of the art facilities which have undergone series of tests and are ready for use. A central sewage system has been added to the building among other facilities," he stressed.

Among other dignitaries who attended the event were; the first civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; Mrs. Abimbola Fashol; Deputy Governor, Adebisi Sosan; National Chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Bisi Akande and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba.

Others included; the first Town Clerk of Lagos City Council when the City Hall was conceived, Alhaji Habeeb Fashinro, National Vice Chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Tajudeen Olusi and other dignitaries from all walks of life.