LAGOS, NIGERIA – Former Governor of Lagos State and ex-Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has stressed the urgent need to preserve the rich history of Lagos to prevent distortions and ensure the values and legacies of the state are not lost to future generations. This call comes amid ongoing debates surrounding the naming and renaming of streets in the state.
Fashola made the remarks on Tuesday during the public presentation of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1)” held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event attracted top dignitaries, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat.
Highlighting the role of history in shaping societies, Fashola cited the archival works of the University of Glasgow as an example of how properly maintained records can offer deep insight into societal progress and cross-border influence. He noted that the university’s archives hold valuable information on early Nigerian pioneers, including Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, who enrolled at Glasgow in 1913 and graduated in 1918.
“Dr. Oluwole returned to Nigeria to become the first African Medical Officer of Health in the Lagos colony. He pioneered school health services, introduced vaccination in schools, and established the first Nigerian School of Hygiene in Yaba in 1920,” Fashola said.
He pointed out that many Lagosians pass through streets such as Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja daily without understanding the historical significance behind the names. “So that’s the Ladipo Oluwole. But the records were kept well in Glasgow, Scotland,” Fashola noted, stressing the importance of preserving Lagos’s own historical archives.
As debates rage over the renaming of streets in Lagos, Fashola urged caution and reflection, stating, “It is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming and I keep my gunpowder dry.”
Reiterating his long-held views on the matter, Fashola said, “The preservation of our history and the documentation of our progress should be taken seriously. The archival heritage is a valuable testimony to the socio-political and economic development of humanity.”
The former governor praised the efforts of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), whose work he said extends beyond producing educational books. He called for increased government support for the bureau to enable it to fulfill its mission of becoming a central repository of Lagos State’s collective memory.
“To make this a reality, LASRAB must be adequately resourced. Mr Governor, LASRAB must be well-funded,” Fashola emphasized.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat commended the launch of the puzzle book, describing it as a creative tool that merges education, entertainment, and cultural preservation.
“This project is an innovative learning tool designed to stimulate young minds, promote curiosity, and deepen our pride and understanding of Lagos’s heritage,” he said.
Hamzat also acknowledged Fashola’s pioneering role in the establishment of LASRAB, recounting how the former governor issued an executive order mandating the documentation of all government projects with copies archived in LASRAB and other relevant ministries.
“This foundational act was not merely administrative. It was an intentional effort to institutionalise, preserve, document, and disseminate Lagos’s narrative for posterity,” he stated.
Emphasizing the broader importance of historical awareness, Hamzat added, “It is important that we don’t only understand ourselves, but we must understand our history so we don’t lose ourselves. This book is a creative method of crafting historical consciousness that informs while it also entertains. That way, we don’t distort our history and we don’t misunderstand our being.”
The launch of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1)” marks another milestone in the ongoing effort to preserve Lagos’s historical identity and instill in young citizens a sense of cultural pride and historical awareness.
