Nollywood veteran actress, Joke Silva, was all smiles at the 2024 edition of King Kosoko Memorial Lecture, held at Glover Memorial Hall, Custom Street, Lagos, on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
She expressed her belief that a movie depicting the fascinating history of King Kosoko would be outstanding and highly profitable.
The King Kosoko Memorial Lecture, themed “The Lagos Economy During the Era of King Kosoko: A Tale of Prosperity and Decline,” aimed to explore the heroics, highs, and lows of the king’s reign.
The first lecture was delivered by Professor David Aworawo from the Department of History and International Studies, University of Lagos.
Aworawo delved deeply into King Kosoko’s reign, examining the period before and during the colonial invasion of Lagos.
He explained that Lagos’ economy had been on an upward rise for over six centuries, known as a hub for trade, fishing, and pepper farming until European traders began visiting due to its proximity and coastal advantages.
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish contact, followed by the British as the slave trade began to thrive.
Professor Aworawo noted that King Kosoko became king in 1845, and his reign marked a transformative period in Lagos’ history, characterized by economic growth, cultural flourishing, and political upheaval.
The use of cowries as a medium of exchange gained traction as Europeans traded palm oil and palm kernel with the locals.
However, Lagos also became a hub for the export of slaves, with King Kosoko actively participating in the slave trade, which the British dominated.
Although the slave trade was officially abolished in 1807 at the Berlin Conference, it persisted along West Africa’s coastlines, including Lagos.
Despite advice from King Gezo of Dahomey to stop the trade, King Kosoko continued, as it was a major source of revenue.
Kosoko’s reign from 1845 to 1851 was dominated by the slave trade until he was dethroned during the British bombardment of Lagos in 1851.
Professor Aworawo concluded by stating that Lagos’ economy never experienced a sharp decline but has instead seen continuous growth, describing it as “the rise and rise of Lagos.”
Another speaker, Professor Habeeb Abiodun Sanni from Lagos State University (LASU), offered a different perspective on King Kosoko, portraying him as a man of valor and piratical heroics.
He explored the political conflicts surrounding Kosoko’s ascension to the throne, particularly his long-standing discord with Eletu Odibo, a prominent kingmaker, which led to Kosoko’s denial of the throne on three occasions.
Sanni emphasized that King Kosoko was a key figure in the slave trade in Lagos, having been involved in it since the time of his father, Oba Eshilokun.
He described Kosoko’s reign as a blend of prosperity, fierce resistance against internal and external forces, and strategic political maneuvering.
Joke Silva expressed her delight, stating that the event offered insights into the lesser-known history of Lagos and served as a renaissance for its rich cultural heritage.
She was particularly pleased to learn about Lagos’ historical connections with other groups like the Fulani, Kanuri, and Benin, and how they contributed to the city’s history.
Silva further emphasized the importance of promoting historical discussions to ensure that future generations honor the legacies of those who made significant sacrifices.
When asked if a movie about King Kosoko would succeed at the box office, she enthusiastically replied, “Yes, of course! Definitely!“
She added that maintaining and sharing ancient history is essential, and there is no better way to tell a story than to act it.
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