By Oluwatosin Maliki
A statement made by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, claiming that the Binis founded Lagos, has sparked controversy online, attracting the attention of Balogun of Eko, Abisoye Oshodi, who debunked the claim.
QUEST TIMES gathered that the statement was made by the monarch during his visit in Lagos State to the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, he stated, ‘’It is in the history books that the Binis founded Lagos. When some people will hear it now, they will go haywire, what is the Oba saying there again?
“But it is true. Go and check the records. Maybe not all over Lagos as we know it now but certain areas in Lagos, maybe the nucleus of Lagos, were founded by my ancestors. The Oba of Lagos will say so.”
In a reaction, the chief, Oshodi, shared a video online on Tuesday, he said the monarch’s comment was false.
He stated, “With all due respect to the Oba of Benin, Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, Sir may you live long”.
“Point of correction Sir, Lagos was never founded by the Binis. I am glad that you said some parts of Lagos, not the entire Lagos. You are right, your ancestors settled on a small Island that was called Eko then, before the creation of Lagos. On this very Island, they never created it”.
“The Island had been there before the arrival of your ancestors. Your ancestors only came and forcefully imposed a taxation system on transit with the traders on the land called Idu Ighoran whatever that means in Benin I do not know, but there were other tribes on the Island before the creation of Lagos. Even before the creation of Eko,” he added.
“We have the Awori’s, we have the Isheri’s, we have the Olofin’s, so many tribes have been on Lagos, or the modern Lagos now before the creation of Lagos State.”
Watch the video below:
The comment of the monarch has thrown social media into a frenzy as netizens debate the ownership of the commercial city.