Photo File Of Oba of Benin and Balogun of Eko, Abisoye Oshodi.
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has refuted the assertion made by the Balogun of Eko, Abisoye Oshodi, that the Binis founded Lagos.
The monarch, who was visiting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday while in Lagos State, had stated, ‘’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.”
In response to the monarch’s remark, Oshodi stated in a video posted online on Tuesday that it was untrue.
“With all due respect, Sir, may you live a long life,” he said to Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.
“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.”