would like to congratulate Lagos State on its 50th Anniversary. There is a problem however with the commemorative banners featuring prominent Nigerians currently on display all over the city.
While many have come from far and wide to make Lagos what it is over the years, there is something patently wrong with the selection of Tu Face Idibia, Wole Soyinka, Salawa Abeni, Adewale Ayuba, Soni Irabor and Joke Silva et al, as the faces of Lagos.
Why? Methinks the displays should have acknowledged indigenous Lagosians who have contributed immensely to the foundations of Lagos State.
Prominently missing are Lagos greats such as Herbert Macauley, Justice Teslim Elias, Oba Adeniji Adele – Nigeria’s first Deputy Senate President, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, Oba Akran, Prof Ayodele Awojobi, T.O.S. Benson, Bobby Benson, JK Randle, Femi Okunu, Chief I S Adewale aka ‘The Boy is Good,’ Chief S O Gbadamosi, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Mobalaji Johnson, Ayinla Olumegbon the father of theater parties, Prince Jide Kosoko; musicians such as Habibu Oluwa, Ayinde Bakare and Kayode Fashola; soccer star Muri Onigbanjo aka Scoro; Baba Kekere Lateef Jakande, and for that matter influential non-Lagosian such as Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu – a thoroughbred Lafiaji boy; or Alhaji Danjuma of Agege, who set up the first indigenous movie theater in Lagos.
Whoever came up with the Lagos at 50 concept means well, but charity should always begin at home.
Eko o ni ba je! Itesi waju Eko lo je wa logun!
END
The writer being of an older generation has missed the fact that Lagos residents are greater in numbers in the age group under forty. A face is a unique identity which aids us in recalling a person’s identity immediately. The “Faces of Lagos at 50” does this. The faces of the over twenty something “old school” names can’t do this. Only Herbert Macaulay and Jide Kosoko made the pass to me.
I think the author may have a point but I do not like cowards.Why anonymous if you are convinced of your point?
In any case,Lagos state government can still include those other historical names.Nothing spoil…
This is voice of a faceless TRIBALIST, Your sure won’t mention your name and understandably so. I am not a fan of any of the “chosen” ones though, but what is wrong in choosing them? Your ONLY reason is because they’re not Lagosians, aren’t they Nigerians? When are we ever going to come out of this “darkness” for God’s sake?
The point raised by the writer is valid and should be considered….Anyway, I donor really blame the Lagos State Government for this somewhat unpardonable oversight…Nigba to je wipe awon atohunriwa lon call shot at the helm of affairs…Meanwhile, the error can and should be noted and ammended…we are waiting as we celebrate Lagos @50