The Balogun of Eko, Abisoye Oshodi, has strongly contested the recent assertion made by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, regarding the founding of Lagos. The Oba of Benin, during a visit to Lagos State to meet Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday, claimed that the Binis were the founders of Lagos.
‘’It is in the history books that the Binis founded Lagos. When some people will hear it now, they will go haywire, what is the Oba saying there again? But it is true. Go and check the records. Maybe not all over Lagos as we know it now but certain areas in Lagos, maybe the nucleus of Lagos, was founded by my ancestors. The Oba of Lagos will say so.”
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However, in a video circulating online on Tuesday, Balogun Abisoye Oshodi vehemently refuted the monarch’s statement, declaring it as untrue.
He said,
“With all due respect to the Oba of Benin, Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, Sir may you live long.
“Point of correction Sir, Lagos was never founded by the Binis. I am glad that you said some parts of Lagos, not the entire Lagos. You are right, your ancestors settled on a small Island that was called Eko then, before the creation of Lagos. On this very Island, they never created it.
“The Island had been then before the arrival of your ancestors. Your ancestors only came and forcefully imposed a taxation system on transit with the traders on the land called Idu Ighoran whatever that means in Benin I do not know, but there has been other tribes on the Island before the creation of Lagos. Even before the creation of Eko.’
“We have the Awori’s, we have the Isheri’s, we have the Olofin’s, so many tribes have been on Lagos, or the modern Lagos now before the creation of Lagos State.”
The conflicting narratives surrounding the historical roots of Lagos have sparked a heated debate on various social media platforms.
Oshodi, a prominent figure in Lagos, emphasized the need for a more accurate historical account and urged scholars and historians to delve into the archives to uncover the truth. He questioned the basis of Oba Ewuare II’s claim and called for a respectful and evidence-based discourse on the matter.
The dispute has reignited discussions about the complex history of Lagos, a city with a diverse cultural heritage.
Many netizens have taken to social media to express their opinions, with some supporting the Oba of Benin’s statement and others aligning with Balogun Oshodi’s perspective.
Historians and cultural experts are now being called upon to provide insights and conduct thorough research to establish the authenticity of the claims made by both the Oba of Benin and the Balogun of Eko.
