Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has issued a stern warning to the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over moves that could potentially distort the historical identity of Lagos State. This comes amid growing concerns and controversies surrounding the recent renaming of streets across the state.
Fashola made his remarks on Tuesday during the unveiling of Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1) at the Civic Centre in Victoria Island. The event, organised by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), focused on the preservation of the state’s heritage through educational tools.
Highlighting the importance of historical preservation, Fashola referenced the archives of the University of Glasgow, which document Nigeria’s colonial and post-colonial evolution. He cited the example of Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, a Lagos-born physician and University of Glasgow alumnus who became Nigeria’s first African medical officer of health and pioneered public health initiatives in the early 20th century.
“Dr Oluwole returned to Nigeria and initiated school health services, including inspection and vaccination programmes. He also established the first school of hygiene in Yaba in 1920,” Fashola said.
He noted that streets like Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja were named to honour such historic figures and their contributions to Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Amid the ongoing debate over street renaming, Fashola remarked pointedly, “It is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming. I keep my gunpowder dry. But today, I reiterate the importance of preserving our history and documenting our progress.”
He further stressed the need to properly fund LASRAB, the agency behind the history puzzle book project, describing it as a central hub for documenting the memory and legacy of Lagos. “Mr Governor, LASRAB must be well-funded,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat praised the publication as a creative blend of education, culture, and civic awareness. He acknowledged Fashola’s legacy in establishing LASRAB and his foresight in mandating proper documentation of state projects during his tenure.
“This book is more than a learning tool. It helps us understand our identity and heritage as Lagosians. If we lose our history, we risk losing ourselves,” Hamzat added.
The remarks by Fashola and Hamzat underline a broader call for the government to tread carefully in altering historical landmarks and to prioritise cultural preservation over political expedience.
