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To: Board of Trustees, J.Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History
From: Qudus Onikeku, CEO/Centre Director
Date: January 6, 2025
Subject: Incident Report at the J.Randle Centre
Dear Esteemed Members of the Board,
I am writing to bring to your attention a deeply concerning incident that occurred today, Monday, January 6, 2025, at the J.Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History. This incident raises serious concerns about governance, operational integrity, and the overall safety and leadership environment at the Centre. Below, I have outlined the key details for your review and guidance:
Key Incident Details
1. Unannounced Visit by the Commissioner:
• The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka, arrived at the Centre without prior notice.
• She was accompanied by:
• The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Toyin Atekoja,
• The Director of Facilities, Mr. Ogunshote,
• Mrs. Bukola Odoe, and other unidentified individuals.
2. Ongoing Activities at the Centre:
• At the time of their arrival, I was engaged in two critical assignments:
• A meeting with actor Lateef Adedimeji and his team regarding the Lisabi movie premiere scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025.
• Hosting a British journalist in my office for an interview about the museum’s progress and international recognition.
3. Forceful Entry into Rented Restaurant Space:
• The Commissioner ordered her team to forcibly break into the restaurant area, which had been rented out to Buga Restaurant for three weeks (December 13, 2024 – January 5, 2025) to address visitors’ demand for food services.
• The restaurant operator, who paid ₦600,000 for the rental, was scheduled to retrieve their items later today. Despite this, the Commissioner instructed her team to remove the restaurant’s property, causing significant disruption and reputational harm to the Centre.
4. Physical Assault and Intimidation:
• While investigating the situation, I directed my Personal Assistant (PA) to film the incident to ensure transparency.
• The Commissioner violently ordered my PA to stop filming, which escalated into one of her team members physically assaulting my PA.
• She further instructed the Centre’s security personnel to eject my PA from the premises and threatened them with dismissal when they hesitated.
5. Security Personnel Reassignment:
• Following the incident, I was informed that the NSCDC security personnel assigned to the Centre had been recalled without prior notice.
• New officers were deployed, with specific instructions not to take orders from me as the CEO.
Concerns Raised
The incident has raised the following critical concerns:
• Operational Disruption:
• The forceful eviction of the restaurant created unnecessary tension and disrupted operations.
• My inability to complete scheduled meetings with key stakeholders reflects poorly on the Centre’s ability to deliver on its objectives.
• Safety and Security:
• The sudden reassignment of security personnel, coupled with the presence of armed officers who do not report to me, compromises the safety of staff and visitors and undermines my ability to lead effectively.
• Undermining of Authority:
• The Commissioner’s actions, including threats and the physical assault of my PA, undermine my authority and create a hostile work environment.
• This sends a troubling message to staff, vendors, and stakeholders about the Centre’s governance.
Recommendations and Requests
To ensure the integrity of the Centre’s operations and governance, I respectfully request the following:
1. Clarification of Governance Roles:
• Clear guidelines on the roles and responsibilities of the CEO and Ministry representatives in managing the Centre’s operations.
2. Access to Vendor Agreements:
• Immediate access to all agreements with vendors and service providers to monitor compliance, avoid instrumentalisation of staffs again the CEO, and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
3. Security Oversight:
• Restoration of a proper security framework where personnel report directly to the Centre Director to ensure operational safety and accountability.
4. Accountability for Misconduct:
• An investigation into the actions of the Commissioner and her team, particularly regarding the assault on my PA and the unlawful break-in.
5. Support for Operational Stability:
• Establishment of a framework that ensures operational autonomy for the Centre and avoids future disruptions.
Conclusion
The J.Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History stands as a beacon of cultural pride and excellence. However, incidents such as today’s jeopardize the integrity, safety, and reputation of this important institution. I urge the Board to intervene promptly to address these concerns and ensure that the Centre continues to fulfill its mission effectively.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I remain available to provide further details or clarifications as needed.
