![]() It was the seat of Olofin, a strong leader who appears to have dominated a group of villages that were thought to exist prior to Benin conquest and to be Awori Yoruba ancestry. Ido, according to traditions, was a centre of local activity. At the time, Lagos Island had one known settlement, founded by the legendary Aromire, "lover of water", as a fishing camp. In contrast to Ido, Benin established a firm base across the lagoon on Lagos Island with little resistance. Certainly it did so later, for its refugees founded a new settlement nearby, especially along the southern side of the lagoon in today's Eti-Osa. Whether Benin was initially unwilling or unable to take Ido is unclear. Ido was surrounded by water and given the palisades Ulsheimer found around Lagos, it was quite likely that Ido was also fortified against Benin invaders. The Ogun was an important waterway leading to inland trade, the large number of colonies established by Benin throughout the Ogun basin (west from Lagos to Badagry, and north from the coast to (latter-day) Ilaro Division boundaries, attests to its interest. Some of the inhabitants in the Lagos interior lived in towns walled for defensive purpose and Ulsheimer's group armed with two cannons helped the local Benin army to conquer and completely destroy one of such towns described as dissident.Īccordingly to some oral traditions, Benin forces settled at a strategic place on the northwest tip of Lagos Island where they could easily mount a defensive garrison and still overlook the lagoon which narrows suddenly at this point between Lagos and Ido Island. Oral traditions indicate that Benin found pre-existing settlement on Lagos and nearby Ido Islands. Lagos Lagoon was known to European traders by 1485, when it first appeared on maps, but the town of Lagos was not included. |Ulsheimer gives the first account, documenting the transformation of Lagos from fishing camp to a trading centre, and from an autonomous settlement to a Benin tributary. His son and successor, Ehengbuda (1578-1606) on his journey to Lagos, is said to have drowned in a river mid-way between Benin and Lagos, when his boat capsized. Orhogbua, according to Benin traditions left Lagos when he learnt of a coup against him at home, but he left behind in Lagos, a military camp under three generals. It is the official residence of the Oba (King) of Lagos), Water House (one of the oldest examples of Brazilian architecture in Lagos), and Cuban Lodge (a residential property completed in 1931 that is a mixture of British and Brazilian architecture)Īccording to Andreas Joshua Ulsheimer's report, the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", meaning "South Lagos" was founded in late 1400 and in 1550-1578 the Oba Orhogbua of Benin established a military camp "South Lagos" and from that base waged war on some people described as rebels against his authority, in the immediate interior. Some popular and memorable building on the island include, Tafawa Balewa Square (where Nigeria’s independence celebration took place on October 1st 1960), the Brazilian Quarter (where the majority of the slave trade returnees from Brazil settled), the National Museum (a museum with notable Nigerian art), Civic Centre (the largest and most important Convention Centres in the city), Taiwo Olowo’s Monument (a monument building over the tomb of Chief Daniel Conrad Taiwo, who died in 1901) and less known Oba’s Palace (a magnificent building constructed over 300 years ago. It is also believed that the Eyo festival can only be held in this part of Lagos. Oh It is also the part of Lagos which the Oba(King) of Lagos resides. The island is extremely crowded and congested and attempts have been made to build new roads out over the lagoon in order to improve traffic flows. ![]() The poorer eastern side of the island contains the main markets and the poorer housing. Many families lived on Broad Street in the Marina. Lagos Island (Isale Eko) was home to the Brazilian Quarter of Lagos where the majority of the slave trade returnees from Brazil settled. Lagos Island is comprised of: Idumota Axis, Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lekki Peninsula, Marina, Obalende, Onikan, Victoria Island, Eko Atlantic City ![]() Despite all the history that encompasses this island, it is rarely visited for this purpose. The buildings, alone, within this area are a display of Nigerian history, from the birth of Lagos (around 1300-1400 CE) till today. ![]() Lagos Island is the historical centre of Lagos.
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