Ex-Governor Fashola Warns Sanwo-Olu’s Administration Against Distortion Of Lagos History Amid Street Renaming Controversy
Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has cautioned the current administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu against actions that could distort the historical identity of Lagos.
Fashola gave the warning amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the renaming of streets in the state by the Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
The former governor issued the warning on Tuesday at the public presentation of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1)”, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He emphasised the importance of preserving historical records and landmarks to promote civic values and foster an understanding of Lagos’s past.
Referencing historical records archived at the University of Glasgow, Fashola highlighted the far-reaching impact of proper documentation and its role in shaping historical consciousness.
“For instance, the Glasgow University archives service gives fascinating insights into the influence that the university, its staff and students have had in the history and development of many countries, including Nigeria,” he said.
He cited the case of Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, a Nigerian who studied at the University of Glasgow between 1913 and 1918.
“Dr. Ladipo Oluwole returned to Nigeria to become the first African medical officer of health in the Lagos colony,” Fashola noted.
“He pioneered school health services, with school inspection and vaccination of children in their schools, and started the first Nigerian school of hygiene at Yaba in Lagos in 1920.”
Drawing attention to a street named after Oluwole in Ikeja, Fashola said, “So those of us who drive through streets such as Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja will probably now understand and contextualise the contributions of such a man and why it was considered such a high honour to immortalise him by naming a street in his memory.”
Amid debates over renaming streets across Lagos, Fashola added pointedly, “It is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming and I keep my gunpowder dry.
“Today I reiterate those words about street naming and Dr Oluwole and with a greater conviction to reinforce my message that the preservation of our history and the documentation of our progress should be taken seriously.”
He also stressed the importance of adequately supporting the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), which developed the puzzle book.
“The work of LASRAB extends beyond educational books,” he said.
“The ultimate goal is to create a central hub of a trustworthy and comprehensive repository of Lagos State memory. Mr Governor, LASRAB must be well-funded.”
Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu at the event, Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat praised the new book as an “initiative that uniquely blends education, creativity and cultural preservation.”
“This project is an innovative learning tool designed to stimulate young minds,” he said.
“It will also promote curiosity, deepen our pride as Lagosians and our collective understanding of the history and heritage of our dear state.”
Hamzat also acknowledged Fashola’s efforts in founding LASRAB during his tenure.
“I recall very clearly that he wrote an executive order directing that all documentation, when we build schools, bridges, anything, we keep five copies: one in the Ministry of Science and Technology and one in LASRAB,” Hamzat said.
“This foundational act was not merely administrative. It was an intentional effort to institutionalise, preserve, document, and disseminate Lagos’s narrative for posterity.”
He concluded with a call to deepen historical understanding, “It is important that we don’t only understand ourselves, but we must understand our history so we don’t lose ourselves.
“This book is a creative method of crafting historical consciousness that informs while it also entertains. That way, we don’t distort our history and we don’t misunderstand our being.” (SaharaReporters)
