The Lagos visit is the Nigerian leg of the
African tour by the Williams sisters. Uniquely, Lagos
in Nigeria and Johannesburg in South Africa
are the two preferred choices of the world's celebrated 'Queens of tennis' for
their tour of Africa.
Ahead
of the visit, Lagosians and indeed Nigerians are already waiting anxiously and
eagerly to see these two beautiful world tennis champions 'live' in the city of
Lagos. The
coming of Serena and Venus to the Centre of Excellence is arguably another
milestone due to the fact that the trip would provide them an opportunity to
meet with women, young people and other cadres through the 'Breaking The Mould'
campaign, a women's empowerment initiative that was recently launched as a
platform to inspire, motivate and empower the womenfolk so that they can
achieve whatever they set their heart to achieve.
The
choice of Lagos
is symbolic in many ways. Apart from being Nigeria's former political capital,
it is the melting point for all socio-economic classes in the country and a
home to over 250 ethnic groups. The unity-in-diversity advantage and strength
in homogeneity, which are characteristic of Nigeria's
geographic make-up, are easily expressed in Lagos as the self-imposed barriers that are
peculiar in other climes easily melt in the megacity-state. Aside, Lagos occupies a prime position as the second fastest
growing city in Africa and the seventh in the
world. The state also boasts the busiest air and sea ports in the West African
sub region. Lagos,
to a vast majority of people, is the land of opportunities and endless
possibilities or what has become an epithet, Eko for show!
Thus,
the planned visit of the Williams sisters is one big plus to the country. One
of the immediate benefits is the improvement in Nigeria's low reputation which has
been tainted by the current challenges that we are facing. If one goes by the
daily incidents of suicide bombing, flooding, armed robbery and corruption of
the political leadership, one is bound to lose hope. But, with the visit of
these international champions, there is an encouragement and a ray of hope that
things will get better. I see this visit in itself as a breaking of the mould
of pessimism that has beclouded the minds of millions of Nigerians.
In
another light, the visit would impact the tourism potential of Lagos as a destination for business and
leisure. Williams sisters' visit is a demonstration to international tourists
and foreign investors, who are pessimistic about coming to Nigeria that,
despite all the negative media reports this country is still a safe place to
visit and do business. As role 'Mould Breakers' and 'Champions of change'
themselves having weathered the unfavourable side of life to become global
stars, this visit by Serena and Venus represents a significant effort that
could help break the moulds, misconceptions and stereotypes that have dogged
our national and international outlook.
Their
engagement sessions which will include a tennis clinic, exhibition match and a
gala award night will also serve to dismantle other moulds. For instance, they
will help women to overcome the negative mentality that women are second-rate
citizens; that the girl-child does not deserve the best in life. It is also
important to note that the inspiration from the Williams will help to enlighten
Nigerians that education is essential although it does not solely determine
success. Many will also discover that greatness is possible in a place like Nigeria while
they will teach those virtues that make success attainable.
*Dotun
Folajin is a Postgraduate Student at Babcock
University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
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