Torizone reports that Oba Ewuare II of Benin sparked controversy during a visit to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, by asserting that the Binis were the ones who founded Lagos. Oba Ewuare cited historical documents that show Bini forefathers were involved in the establishment of specific neighbourhoods in Lagos. Claims and counterclaims on who owns what in Lagos have continued throughout the years.
Chief Oba of Benin
Disagreements arose online over the historical assertions made by the Oba of Benin after his recent speech. Cities with rich histories and multiple cultural influences make it difficult to trace their origins, as this controversy shows.
According to Newsmen, the media outlet quoted a statement from Iga Idugaran, Palace of the Lagos King, Oba Akiolu as partly saying, "I was told by my late paternal grandmother, who was a descendant of Oba Ovonranwen Nogbaisi, and with facts from historical books, let me share this knowledge with you all on Eko or Lagos, as it is popularly called.
"Modern-day Lagos was founded by Prince Ado, the son of the Oba of Benin. Prince Ado was the first Oba of Lagos, and it was he that named the town Eko, until the Portuguese explorer, Ruy de Segueira, changed the maritime town to Lagos State, which at that time from 1942 was the Portuguese expedition centre down the African Coast."
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