“We built modern Lagos from swampy land” – Ohanaeze Ndigbo president
There are burning arguments over the real owners of Lagos State. When Oba of Benin visited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he made some claim that Bini people founded the state. His claim has been rebuffed by Asari Dokubo, a Niger Delta leader.
As if that’s not enough, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has joined the debate over the origin of the commercial hub of the country. He said that the Igbos built and developed Lagos by “converting swampy lands to habitable places.”
The Igbo leader said that their forefathers, pioneers “are the heroes of the time, the heroes of Lagos”. His comment on that debate is more or less a reaction to the claim of Oba Ewuare II.
Iwuanyanwu said, “Igbos have been part of this country for a very long time. When Lagos became the federal capital, the development of such territory was a challenge in all countries.
“The Igbo forebearers, most of whom are dead today, rose to the challenge of that time. The challenge of that time was investment to make Lagos befitting as the federal capital territory. That is how the Igbos moved to Lagos by a sense of patriotism.”
There was a claim that incumbent president Bola Tinubu used his administration to rapidly turn Lagos State around when he was leading the southwest state between 1999 and 2007.
The Igbo leader has, however, disagreed. He said that Igbo people changed Lagos from being a swampy area to a modern city.
He added, “Igbos converted swampy lands to habitable places. They built businesses, homes, schools, and developed Lagos. These pioneers, our forebearers are the heroes of the time, the heroes of what we call today a very strong Lagos. The Igbos in Lagos are highly respected citizens. Respected Yorubas and Igbos built very solid relationships with each other.”
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