Ethnic Heritage Centre… The Place For Cultural Renainssance in Nigeria. Femi Ojo

Ethnic Heritage Centre Building

One of the artistic sculptures at EHC

Our cultural identity is fast giving way to modernization. We are in a world where our indigenous languages are gradually going into extinction. We now embrace modernization without subjecting the concept to the logic of our cherished cultural heritage. Our culture is gradually going and we are losing what makes us unique and pristine. Our children can no longer speak their indigenous languages; they cannot communicate in the languages of their ancestors, those who manage to speak it, speak the bastardized modern variant of it and absurdly modernize what ought to be culturally pristine. Indeed we are losing it but there is a centre that is determined to preserve, protect and promote our cultural heritage in Lagos, Nigeria, called Ethnic Heritage Centre.

 Ethnic Heritage Centre was established on the 19th of March 2013, primarily to preserve Nigerian indigenous languages and cultures by Mrs Nwamaka Madichie a stunt promoter of Nigerian indigenous languages and culture. The core focus of the centre is to teach people who desire to understand and speak Nigerian native languages and expose them to cultural elements surrounding various native languages being taught at the centre in order to preserve and promote our rich and cherished African cultural heritage.

EHC RESTAURANT

The centre itself is a master piece of indigenous artistic decorations, serene, beautifully painted, the environment is uniquely artistic with various sculptures and other locally made artistic decorations. Indeed, Ethnic Heritage Centre is a one stop shop for all things cultural. 

The centre has in addition to its well-equipped language laboratory, it boasts of an entrepreneur centre where various skills in Gele Tying, Make-Up, Hair Weaving and Plaiting, Tailoring etc. are all acquired. Its African Kitchen where various Nigerian dishes and other African dishes are cooked is just one in town. At Ethnic Heritage Centre, culture enthusiasts, foreigners, children, parents and indeed everyone can get various  items for homes and offices at affordable prices. Not only that, for those who are looking for books and magazines, clothing, jewelry and accessories, gift items and more, 'Kasuwa' at Ethnic Heritage Centre is the right place to go! 

Gift Items inside  Kasuwa

Ethnic Heritage  Centre also contributes to scholarship and research with its well equipped library that has collections of various books on African culture written by Africans and some other foreign scholars who have written various literature on the continent. The library is the perfect place for scholars and those other people who want to research on the various cultures in Nigeria in particular and at large Africa. The library boasts of a very rich collection of various books on African indigenous languages and other cultural elements. Indeed it is a place for scholarship and research on African culture.

EHC Library

The beautiful walk way with side open garden at EHC

At Ethnic Kitchen one can relax and eat variety of African delicacies like Gbegiri, Edikang Ikong  , Suya, African Salad, Dun-dun, Asun, Boli and Fish, Nkwobi, Afang, Banga and other popular dishes in an atmosphere that reconnects and strengthens bonds with family, friends and colleagues with chilled assorted drinks. Its bar is a wonderful world of artistic creation with the wall beautifully made of fine wood flooring and the wall decorated with various photographs of many Africans both living and dead who have made huge impact in our world. For those who want to listen and enjoy quality African songs solemnly flowing from a powerful sound system, the bar is the right place to be.

EHC Open Event Garden

The Hubert Ogunde open event garden at Ethnic Heritage Centre in Lagos reminds one of the good nature that Africa is blessed with. The open event garden is an unusual place beautifully decorated with sculptures, the green grass is well- trimmed and the Palm trees with the sculpture of a palm wine tapper on it brings the memory of African sweet palm wine. The open event garden is a perfect place for those who want their events in an unusual place yet sophisticated. 

 One of the  Language Laboratories at EHC

Besides the open event garden at the centre, it has an event hall for corporate organizations, companies, institutions, agencies etc. The event hall is most suitable for training, seminars, conferences, workshops and other events. It is a mid-sized  hall for those who want a controlled crowd for their events in a well-ventilated place away from the hustle and bustle of Lagos.

The well ventilated event hall at EHC

Ethnic Heritage Centre is a unique place that combines expertise in language tutelage, a conductive learning environment, technologically enhanced class rooms, language laboratories and a robust language and culture library in a well secured location to ensure participants are able to speak their chosen language in the shortest time possible. Its programmes are flexible enough to accommodate Nigerian residents and those who are on short visits to Nigeria that may want to have a better understanding of the Nigerian people and their cultures. Currently the languages that are being taught at the centre are: Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and French with other languages in the pipeline.

Hubert Ogunde Garden at EHC

And anytime you want to experience an unusual environment, serene, artistically decorated and culturally inspiring, take a break from the usual to 35A, Raymond Njoku Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria. For more information please visit or contact www.ethnicheritagecentre.com.ng, info@ethnicheritagecentre.com.ng