Archive for 2017

Lagos (Yoruba: Èkó) is a city in the Nigerian state of Lagos. The city, with its adjoining conurbation, is the largest in Nigeria, as well as on the African continent. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and also one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. Lagos is a major financial centre in Africa; the mega city has the highest GDP, and also houses one of the largest and busiest ports on the continent.

The Carter Bridge, Lagos State

Lagos initially emerged as a port city which originated on a collection of islands, which are contained in the present day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa; the islands are separated by creeks, fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon, while protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to 100 km (60 mi) east and west of the mouth. Due to rapid urbanization, the city expanded to the west of the lagoon to include areas in the present day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Surulere. This led to the classification of Lagos into two main areas - the Island, which was the initial city of Lagos, before it expanded into the area known as the Mainland. This city area was governed directly by the Federal Government through the Lagos City Council, until the creation of Lagos State in 1967, which led to the splitting of Lagos city into the present day seven Local Government Areas (LGAs), and an addition of other towns (which now make up 13 LGAs) from the then Western Region, to form the state.

Lagos which was the capital of Nigeria since its amalgamation in 1914, went on to become the capital of Lagos State, after its creation. However, the state capital was later moved to Ikeja in 1976, while the federal capital also moved to Abuja in 1991. Even though Lagos is still widely referred to as a city, the present day Lagos, also known as "Metropolitan Lagos", and officially as "Lagos Metropolitan Area" is an urban agglomeration or conurbation, consisting of 16 LGAs, including Ikeja, the state capital of Lagos State. This conurbation makes up 37% of Lagos State's total land area, but houses about 85% of the state's total population. The population of Metropolitan Lagos is approximately 20 million as at 2015.

Lagos was originally inhabited by the Awori subgroup of the Yoruba people in the 15th century, who called it "Oko". Under the leadership of the Oloye Olofin, the Awori moved to an island now called Iddo and then to the larger Lagos Island. In the 16th century, the Awori settlement was conquered by the Benin Empire and the island became a Benin war-camp called "Eko" under Oba Orhogba, the Oba of Benin at the time. Eko is still the native name for Lagos.

Lagos, which means "lakes", was a name given to the settlement by the Portuguese. The present-day Lagos state has a high percentage of Awori, who migrated to the area from Isheri along the Ogun river. Throughout history, it was home to a number of warring ethnic groups who had settled in the area. Following its early settlement by the Awori nobility, and its conquest by the Bini warlords of Benin, the state first came to the attention of the Portuguese in the 15th century.

The MV AUREOL, Apapa Port in the 1950

Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeira visited the area in 1472, naming the area around the city Lago de Curamo. Another explanation is that Lagos was named for Lagos, Portugal – a maritime town which, at the time, was the main centre of Portuguese expeditions down the African coast.

In Britain's early 19th century fight against the transatlantic slave trade, its West Africa Squadron or Preventative Squadron as it was also known, continued to pursue Portuguese, American, French, and Cuban slave ships and to impose anti-slavery treaties with West African coastal chiefs with so much doggedness that they created a strong presence along the West African coast from Sierra Leone all the way to the Niger Delta (today's Nigeria) and as far south as Congo. In 1849, Britain appointed John Beecroft Consul of the Bights of Benin and Biafra, a position he held (along with his governorship of Fernando Po) until his death in 1854. John Duncan was appointed Vice Consul and was located at Wydah. At the time of Beecroft's appointment, the Kingdom of Lagos (under Oba Kosoko) was in the western part of the Consulate of the Bights of Benin and Biafra and was a key slave trading port. In 1851 and with pressure from liberated slaves who now wielded political and business influence, Britain intervened in Lagos in what is now known as the Bombardment of Lagos or Capture of Lagos resulting in the installation of Oba Akitoye (and the ouster of Oba Kosoko) who signed Treaty Between Great Britain and Lagos, 1 January 1852. The signing of the 1852 treaty ushered in the Consular Period in Lagos' history wherein Britain provided military protection to Lagos.

Following threats from Kosoko and the French who were positioned at Wydah, a decision was made by Lord Palmerston (British Prime Minister) who noted in 1861, "the expediency of losing no time in assuming the formal Protectorate of Lagos". William McCoskry, the Acting Consul in Lagos with Commander Bedingfield convened a meeting with Oba Dosunmu on July 30, 1861 aboard HMS Prometheus where Britain's intent was explained and a response to the terms were required by August 1861. Dosunmu resisted the terms of the treaty but under the threat to unleash violence on Lagos by Commander Bedingfield, Dosunmu relented and signed the Lagos Treaty of Cession on August 6, 1861.

Independence Fountain, Tinubu Square, Lagos.

The remainder of modern-day Nigeria was seized in 1887, and when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was established in 1914, Lagos was declared its capital, continuing as such after the country's independence from Britain in 1960. Along with migrants from all over Nigeria and other West African nations were the returnee ex-slaves known as Creoles, who came from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Brazil and the West Indies to Lagos. The Creoles contributed to Lagos' modernisation and their knowledge of Portuguese architecture can still be seen from the architecture on Lagos Island. Electric street lighting was introduced in the city in 1898. Lagos experienced rapid growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a result of Nigeria's economic boom.

Before the creation of Lagos State on 27 May 1967, Lagos, which was the country's capital had been administered directly by the Federal Government as a Federal Territory through the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs, while the Lagos City Council (LCC) governed the city. Lagos, along with the towns from the then Western region (Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry), were eventually captured to create Lagos State. Lagos city was split into the present day seven Local Government Areas(LGAs), while the other towns now make up 13 LGAs in the state. Lagos played the dual role of being the State and Federal Capital until 1976, when the state capital was moved to Ikeja. Lagos was adversely affected during Nigeria's military rule. Also, on 12 December 1991, the seat of the Federal Government was also formally relocated to Abuja. However, Lagos still remains the financial centre of the country, and also grew to become the most populous conurbation in the country.

WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON LAGOS @ 50 CELEBRATIONS AT LAGOS HOUSE, IKEJA.

Lagos State is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and according to information from the world press conference held on the 27th March, 2017 at the Banquet Hall of the Governor's office, Lagos House, Ikeja, an interesting series of events have been lined up to mark the state’s golden jubilee.

If you are a Lagosian (living and working in Lagos), or you just love the very vibrant city, here are 11 events to look forward to from April 8 till May 27, 2017.

1. “Wakaa” The Musical – This special musical play produced and directed by ace producer and director, Bolanle Austen-Peters, will hold on April 8, 2017 at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

2. “FELA” - The three-day Broadway Musical Concert based on the life and times and the Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will hold on April 13, 2017. The musical will be performed by a combined cast of the original Broadway production and the Royal National Theatre production under Bill T. Jones.

3. Boat Regatta Parade - A water display of culture and tradition held on the creeks and lagoons of Lagos. The event is a flotilla of brightly decorated boats which depicts aspects of the city's socio-cultural traditions found in folklore, traditional costume Lagos residents and tourists. It will hold on April 15, 2017 the in the coastal communities of Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island.

4. Jazz Meets Fashion – A fusion of Jazz music and fashion, the event will hold on April 30, 2017, and feature Grammy award winning Jazz artistes and Nigerian musicians alongside a runway display of the evolution of fashion in Lagos State over the past 50 years.

5. Special Worker’s Day Celebration - on May 1st 2017, the state will celebrate both active and retired civil servants with a special parade in the morning at the Agege Stadium and a special dinner in the evening.

6. Lagos Loves The Cinema – on May 5, five of the highest grossing Nigerian box office movies, and five Nollywood classics would be screened to local audiences in the five divisions of the State - Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

7. Lagos Dance Exhibition – a spectacular contemporary dance exhibition will hold on May 6, 2017, to celebrate the abundant talents in the state.

8. Lagos Laughs and Ibile Comedy Challenge – To commemorate the ‘World Laughter Day’, on May 7, 2017, Lagos will celebrate with 50 of it’s best stand-up comedians, while discovering new talents across its regions.

9. Lagos Carnival – A celebration of the city's ancestry and the plurality of its identity will also hold on May 13, 2017 on both the Island and Mainland zones of the State and extend to the different communities and ethnic groups in Lagos.

10. Eyo Festival - Last staged five years ago, the Eyo festival will make a grand return on May 20, 2017 at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

11. Historic Gala Night – On May 27, which coincides with Children’s Day celebration, a historic gala night featuring a rich blend of good music, the best of Lagos cuisine, photo exhibition and the unveiling of a special coffee table book that captures the essence of Lagos through the lens of 50 accomplished photographers will hold in the state.

From music, to film, art, and dance, there’s something to interest everyone living in the state. It's time to clear the calendars and get ready for 50 days of non-stop fun!

TIMELINE OF LAGOS

PRIOR TO 19TH CENTURY

1472 - 1780

1472 - Ruy de Sequeira of Portugal names area "Lago de Curamo"
1600 - Ashipa becomes Oba
1630 - Oba Ado in power

Iga Idunganran built

1669 - Oba Gabaro in power
1704 - Oba Akinsemoyin in power
1749 - Eletu Kekere becomes Oba

Oba Ologun Kutere in power

1775 - Adele Ajosun becomes Oba
1780 - Eshilokun becomes Oba

19TH CENTURY

1819 - 1899

1819 - Oba Idowu Ojulari in power
1836 - King Oluwole in power
1841 - Akintoye becomes Oba
1845 - Oba Kosoko in power
1851 - British capture Lagos
1853 - King Dosunmu in power
1860 - Catholic church established
1861 - Lagos annexed by the British
1878 - Methodist Boys' High School founded
1881 - Population: 37,452
1885 - Oba Oyekan in power
1889 - Court House built
1894 - Bank of British West Africa established
1897 - Lagos Chamber of Commerce established
1899 - Briton William MacGregor becomes governor of Lagos Colony

20TH CENTURY

1900 - 1945

1900 - Ibadan-Lagos railway begins operating
1901 - Oba Esugbayi Eleko in power

Carter Bridge built
Population: 41,487

1908 - Lagos Municipal Board of Health
1909 - King's College, Lagos founded
1911 - Kano-Lagos railway begins operating

Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society chapter established

1913 - Apapa wharf built
1914 - Lagos becomes capital of the British Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria
1917 - Lagos Town Council established
1921 - Population: 98,303

Ansar Ud Deen (religious group) and Lagos Women's League established
Nigerian National Democratic Party founded in Lagos

1925 - Oba Ibikunle Akitoye in power
1926 - Nigerian Daily Times newspaper begins publication
1928 - Oba Sanusi Olusi in power
1931 - Tom Jones Library opens

Population: 126,474

1932 - Oba Falolu in power

Igbobi College and Yaba Higher College founded

1939 - Yaba Estate built
1943 - Art Exhibition Centre and Lagos Museum open
1945 - Holy Child College Obalende established

1946 - 1958

1946 - Anglican Cathedral built
Nigerian Breweries incorporated
1947 - Yaba College of Technology founded
1949 - Oba Adeniji Adele in power
1950 - Mayoral council established; Abubakar Ibiyinka Olorun-Nimbe elected mayor

Population: 230,256

1951 - Lagos becomes part of the Western Region
1957 - Nigerian National Museum founded
1958 - Stationery Stores Football Club founded

1960 - 1979

1960 - Lagos Stock Exchange and Nigeria Acceptances Limited established
1961 - Nigerian Institute of International Affairs founded
1962 - University of Lagos established
1963 - Independence House built

Population: 655,246

1964 - Bagatelle restaurant in business
1965 - Adeyinka Oyekan II becomes Oba
1967 - Lagos State created

Mobolaji Johnson becomes governor of Lagos State

1972 - Lagos National Stadium built
1973 - 2nd All-Africa Games held
1975 - Eko Bridge built

Federal Government College Lagos founded
Adekunle Lawal becomes governor of Lagos State

1976 - National Arts Theatre built
1977 - Second World African Festival of Arts and Culture

Fela Kuti's Kalakuta Republic compound in Mushin burns down
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research established in Yaba
Ndubuisi Kanu becomes governor of Lagos State

1978 - Ebitu Ukiwe becomes governor of Lagos State
1979 - Murtala Muhammed International Airport opens

Lateef Jakande becomes governor of Lagos State

1980 - 1994

1980 - Lagos Plan of Action drafted

1981 - Winners' Chapel megachurch begins
1983 - Vanguard newspaper begins publication
1984 - Gbolahan Mudasiru becomes governor of Lagos State
1985 - Newswatch magazine begins publication
1986 - Mike Akhigbe becomes governor of Lagos State
1988 - Raji Rasaki becomes governor of Lagos State
1990 - Third Mainland Bridge opens

Lagos City Polytechnic established
Population: 4,764,000 (urban agglomeration)

1991 - Federal government relocates from Lagos to Abuja

Tell Magazine begins publication
Diamond Bank opens
Lagos Business School established

1992 - Nigerian Air Force C-130 crash

Michael Otedola becomes governor of Lagos State

1993 - Olagunsoye Oyinlola becomes governor of Lagos State
1994 - PM News newspaper begins publication

21ST CENTURY

2000 - Population: 7,233,000 (urban agglomeration)
2001 - The Daily Independent newspaper begins publication 2002 - City divided "into 57 local council areas

Pan-African University, Lagos established
Lagos armoury explosion
2003 - Oba Rilwan Akiolu in power

The Sun newspaper begins publication

2004 - Silverbird Cinema in business
2005 - Business Day newspaper begins publication

Population: 8,767,000 (urban agglomeration)

2006 - The Nation newspaper begins publication

Tin Can Island Port Complex formed
FinBank founded
Palms Shopping Mall opens

2007 - Babatunde Fashola becomes governor of Lagos State

Teslim Balogun Stadium built
Centre for Contemporary Art founded

2009 - Nike Centre for Art and Culture opens
2010 - Lagos Photo festival begins
2011 - Lagos Fashion Week begins
2012 - Makoko slum razed

Lagos Countdown begins

2013 - Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge opens

Makoko Floating School built
Eko Atlantic development construction begins