Her argument was based on the premise that Lagos can continue to grow, develop and create opportunities without attempting to rob it of its history and heritage. We are now at a point in Lagos where we are losing our heritage to shinning glass buildings.” And Lagos is gradually losing its identity to the challenge of modernity. In her words, “Lagos is a victim of its hospitality. Isale-Eko comprises areas stretching from the Lagoon by Adeniji Adele through the Oba of Lagos’ palace on Iga Idunganran to Reclamation down to Idumagbo. Whereas the other panellists seem to extol the virtues of a cosmopolitan Lagos, Professor Lawanson sort to challenge the idea of a cosmopolitan Lagos that seeks to erase the local heritage. He extolled the benefits of the cosmopolitan nature of Isale Eko and warned indigenes of ethnic jingoists, who are seeking to exploit some of the challenges of the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos. Isale Eko Descendants' Union (IDU), a cultural group representing the descendants of the original inhabitants of Lagos Island, has expressed their disappointment with the portrayal of the Eyo. Professor Jinadu stated that the significance of Isale Eko in the history of Nigeria “includes being the entrepôt for commerce the epitome of cosmopolitanism, the base of the political opposition to colonization and the origin of the emergent Nigerian intellectual bourgeoise having produced the first lawyer, medical doctor and others.” Shashore took the audience on a historical journey to highlight the history of Isale Eko. Adele Jinadu, Distinguished Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Professor Taibat Lawanson, and the Director General, Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, Mrs. He also helped the audience understand that Isale Eko is Lagos Island and Lagos Island is Isale Eko. He stressed on the unique identity of the Isale Eko Descendants and encouraged that the identity be protected and preserved.Īlso speaking on the significance of Isale Eko to Nigeria was an erudite panel of discussants which included a renowned Professor of Political Science, Prof. Shashore took the audience on a historical journey to highlight the history of Isale Eko, its heritage and the achievements of their sons and daughters. He also helped the audience understand that ”Isale Eko is Lagos Island and Lagos Island is Isale Eko.” We are cosmopolitan because we choose to be so and we must continue to confront the Nigerian state that there exist an indigenous people who own the heritage of Lagos.” Fast-forward to today, Isale-Eko has become a huge swathe of over-crowded prime real estate mess occupied by impoverished aliens (Non-indigenes) and dilapidating ancestral family homes. He made this known during his keynote address at the recently held Isale-Eko Day Symposium organised by the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union as supported by the Alliance Francais, Mike Adenuga Centre.Īccording to Shashore, “Lagos Colony existed before Nigeria as a Country and was entering into treaties with foreign sovereigns before the amalgamation of Nigeria. Former Attorney General of Lagos State, and Historian, Supo Shashore (SAN), while speaking on the history of Lagos State, has clarified that there isn’t any differentiation between inhabitants of Isale-Eko and Lagos-Island.
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