Kosoko Memorial Lecture: ‘Lagos Not ‘No Man’s Land’’ – Oloja-Elect Declares

The Oloja-Elect of Lagos, Prince Abiola Kosoko, has countered the notion that Lagos State is a “No Man’s Land”.

He made this declaration recently during the King Kosoko Memorial Lecture held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island.

Addressing a gathering of notable dignitaries, including the Olu Epe of Epe, Oba Shefiu Adewale, and the Honourable Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John, Kosoko rejected the controversial claim that has gained traction, particularly following the 2023 General Election.

The lecture, titled “The Lagos Economy In The Era of King Kosoko: A Tale of Prosperity and Decline,” featured in-depth presentations by Professors David Aworawo and Habeeb Abiodun Sanni, who explored King Kosoko’s historical impact, his resistance against British colonial forces, and his contributions to Lagos’s economic development.

In an interview with EKO HOT BLOG at the event, Prince Kosoko asserted, “Lagos can never be a no man’s land… I am an indigene of Lagos, not a citizen.”

When asked about the widespread controversy regarding Lagos being a “No Man’s Land,” he immediately dismissed the claim, stating, “Lagos can never be a no man’s land… I am an indigene of Lagos, not a citizen.”

He further explained, “Those who say Lagos is a no man’s land are citizens of Lagos—residents who pay their taxes here, live here, and can leave at any time.

“Lagos is my home, my indigenous home. It is my ancestral home, and I hold onto it any time and any day.”

Regarding King Kosoko’s legacy, he noted that it is very sacred to him and his family. King Kosoko inherited and revitalized Lagos’s trading spirit, transforming it into a trade settlement and a place of residence and meaningful living over the past 500 years.

“Lagos is a commodity center that has transformed into a business haven and a profitable hub for commercial and trade activities,” he added.

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