The History of the John Randle Center for Yoruba Culture and History

Dr John Randle, a prominent Lagosian, built a public swimming pool in 1928 in King George V Park, later to become the Love Garden – a much loved recreational area. This grand gesture was inspired by the refusal of the British Colonial office to build a pool for Lagosians to learn how to swim. On completion of the pool and garden, Dr Randle handed over the facilities to the Lagos Town Council with a maintenance purse to ensure its upkeep.

Chief John Koshoni Randle, an avid sportsman, prominent Lagosian and the son of Dr Randle passed away leading a sports delegation on an international games event. A group of his friends, including Dr Mose Majekodunmi, Chief Akerele, Alhaji Chief IS Adewale, Mr John Stewart, and Chief Kweku Banwo set up a trust to build a hall in memory of Chief Randle. A piece of land in Onikan was donated by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the direction of Hon. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and executed by Hon. Musa Yar Adua, the Minister of Lagos Affairs.

The memorial hall, under the care of a new set of trustees in Chief (Arc) Femi Majekodunmi, Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, and Bashorun JK Randle, was extensively used as a performance venue for cultural plays by renowned artists such as Prof. JP Clark, and artists in residence. The refurbishment of the swimming pool and erection of a new centre to replace the demolished memorial hall will hopefully return this much loved and missed recreational area in the heart of Lagos Island.