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Much has been written and said about the Lagos History Lecture with the theme: “Lagos: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. The insightful lecture which took place at the Eko Hotel, Vitoria Island, Lagos was part of activities marking the Golden Jubilee celebration of Lagos State.
The event had in attendance Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, former governors, former deputy governors, eminent statesmen, traditional rulers, university dons among others.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, attributed the greatness of the State to its ability to be a melting pot for all cultures, just as he said that the people of the State over the years have distinguished themselves in making others feel at home away from home
Guest Speaker, Professor Hakeem Danmole Dean, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, argued that Lagos is not a no man’s land as some often claim. He revealed that the earliest settlers in the state were the Aworis, the Eguns among others.
“Written records insist that Olofin, the leader of the Awori at Iddo divided Lagos among his children. Although many versions exist with regards to the number of children of Olofin. These children established various settlements within the Island and beyond,” he said.
In his contribution, elder statesman, Senator Habib Fasinro said that though Lagos is doing well, much still need to be done as Lagos should benchmark itself with respected functional global cities. While also addressing the contentious issue of Lagos being a no man’s land, Senator Fasinro affirmed that Lagos has an indigenous population and their hospitable spirit must not be taken for granted. He posits that indigenous Lagosians must not become endangered species in their own state.
Alhaji Femi Okunnu, SAN, who was also a discussant at the event, equally affirmed that Lagos is not a no man’s land. He said that indigenous owners of Lagos are the Idejo Chiefs who are land owners, Aworis who are original inhabitants of Eko (Lagos Island), Eguns who reside in Badagry, Ibinis who invaded Lagos and settled in Iga Idungaran, Idun Itafa, Idumota, Idumagbo etc, Nupes/Tapas who settled in Lagos Island, returnees who settled at the Brazilian Quarters, Ijebus who settled in Epe and Ikorodu axis, Egbas who settled in Abule Egba, Agodo Egba etc and Ekitis and Ijeshas who settled parts of the Mainland. Okunnu, however, agreed that non-indigenes of Lagos had contributed greatly to the greatness of Lagos.
A retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adesola Oguntade, drew attention to the subject of land acquisition in the state. He frowns at the tendency of government acquiring land from owners without paying compensation. This, he says, isn’t good enough as land represents a key economic indicator in the state. According to him, in as much as government has the right to acquire land for developmental purposes, it is important that when such land is acquired, it must be made used without delay while instant effort must be made to compensate such land owners.
Oguntade equally wants government to enhance the welfare of judges and magistrates in the state. While commending the present administration in the state for providing quarters for judges and magistrates, he nevertheless demanded for better and improved welfare package for judges and magistrates in the state. This, he said, is a fundamental requirement for swift administration of justice.
While also speaking at the Lecture, Hon Justice Kuponu Wusu, a retired judge of the Lagos High Court affirms that though Lagos has become a model for other states in the federation, much still need to be done by both the public and private sectors for the future of the state to be really secured.
Justice Wusu specifically calls for improvement in power supply in the state in order to fully optimize the industrial and economic potential of the City-State. He called on government and the Organized Private Sector to establish more Independent Power Plants across major industrial and economic hubs in the state in order to accelerate pace of economic development.
Wusu also advised government not rest on its oars in the area of infrastructure improvement. He said: “Developed nations are prosperous because of their infrastructure. If we are to improve the quality of life of our people, we must improve infrastructure. No more, no less”.
For me, the Lagos History Lecture remains a foremost highlight of the recently concluded Lagos Golden Jubilee Anniversary. For one, the clinical manner in which speakers at the event dealt with the ‘Lagos is no man’s land’ issue is an eye opener. Also, the event provides an opportunity for stakeholders to project into what the future holds for Lagos. The occasion also afforded a unique opportunity to hear from some founding fathers of the state, and drink from their fountains of knowledge. Hopefully, some of the crucial issues addressed at the event would further assist in preparing Lagos in good stead for the next 50 years.
Tayo Ogunbiyi
