The City of Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is found in Africa or the Motherland. My
ancestors came from Africa and it is very important for all of us to show unconditional love and
respect for Africa forever. It is the largest city in Nigeria in population. Nigeria has the largest
number of black people than any nation in the world. It has almost 200 million people living in the
country. It has one of the largest youth populations in the world. It has the largest economy in
Africa. Its economy is worth more than $500 billion and $1 trillion in terms of nominal GDP
purchasing power parity respectively. Nigeria is also a founding member of the African Union and a
member of many international organizations. As early as 11,000 B.C., many human beings have
settled in Nigeria. Farming and iron smelting existed in ancient Nigeria. The Nok culture of Nigeria
thrived from ca. 900 B.C. and 200 A.D. on the Jos Plateau in the northeastern part of Nigeria. One
well known city of Western Africa was called Djenne-Djeno. It is a very ancient sub Saharan city with
as many as 50,000 inhabitants as its zenith. The Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo peoples lived in Nigeria for
a long time.

Lagos is one of the most populous urban agglomerations in the world. It is a major financial center.
So, Lagos is mega city with the highest GDP in the nation and has some of the largest and busiest
ports in the continent. Lagos initially emerged as a port city which originated on a collection of
islands, which are contained in the present day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos Island, Eti-
Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa. The islands are separated by creeks. It has over 8 million people at
least. Its metropolitan area has about 21 million people. Lagos is found in 2 major geographical
areas of the island and the mainland. The island region is made up of many islands while the
mainland has most industries there. That region is known for its music and night life. The major
areas of the mainland include areas like Ebute Metta, Yaba, Ajah and Ejigbo. Some rivers, like
Badagry Creek, flow parallel to the coast for some distance before exiting through the sand bars to
the sea. The city is near the equator, so its temperature remains constant with no major change
year round. There is no single municipality in Lagos, so there is no overall city administration. There
is the existence of 16 to 20 governmental local areas which together make up the Lagos State. The
mainland beyond the Municipality of Lagos, on the other hand, comprised several separate towns
and settlements such as Mushin, Ikeja and Agege.

Lagos economy is very powerful. The Central business district is found in the island and its
economy generates a major part of Nigerias GDP. Lagos economy is a 24 hour economy. Some
residents have the highest standards of living in Nigeria and in Africa. There is still poverty in Lagos
too. The Port of Lagos is Nigeria's leading port and one of the largest and busiest in Africa. It is
administered by the Nigerian Ports Authority and it is split into three main sections: Lagos port, in
the main channel next to Lagos Island, Apapa Port (site of the container terminal) and Tin Can Port,
both located in Badagry Creek, which flows into Lagos Harbour from the west. The port features a
railhead. The port has seen growing amounts of crude oil exported, with export figures rising
between 1997 and 2000. Oil and petroleum products provide 14% of GDP and 90% of foreign
exchange earnings in Nigeria as a whole. Massive tourism is found in Lagos too.

The Beginning

There is an oral history of the Lagos that says that during the period around 1300 to 1400, the Oba
(King) of the Benin Empire heard from one of his traders complaints about being mistreated by the
Awori who lived in the area of current day Lagos. The Oba of Benin then sent a trade expedition by
sea to engage with the Awori people, who nonetheless declined to engage and attacked the mission
sent by Benin. Upon hearing this as the mission returned to Benin City, the Oba of Benin
commanded the assembling of a war expedition, led by Ado, a prince of Benin, which headed to the
settlement of the Awori in current-day Lagos, then called Eko by the Benin people, and demanded
an explanation. On getting there, Ado and his army were more than well received. The Awori from
Lagos asked Benin Prince Ado to stay there and become their leader. Ado agreed, on the condition
that they surrendered their sovereignty to the Oba of Benin, to which the Awori people of Lagos
agreed. Upon hearing this, the Oba of Benin gave his permission for Prince Ado and the expedition
to remain in Eko with the Awori. The Oba of Benin later sent some of his chiefs, including the Eletu
Odibo, Obanikoro and others, to assist Ado in the running of Eko. Lagos was inhabited at first by the
Awori subgroup of the Yoruba people in the 15th century. They called it Oko. The leadership of
Oloye Olofin existed back then and he caused the Awori to move into an island which is now called
Iddo and then to the larger Lagos Island.

In the 16th century, the Awori settlement was conquered by the Benin Empire and the island
became a Benin war-camp called "Eko" under Oba Orhogba, the Oba of Benin at the time. Eko is still
the native name for Lagos. Lagos means lakes. It was a name given to the settlement by the
Portuguese. Today, the Lagos state has a high percentage of Awori, who migrated to the area from
Isheri along the Ogun river. Throughout history, it was home to a number of warring ethnic groups
who had settled in the area. Following its early settlement by the Awori nobility, and its conquest by
the Bini warlords of Benin, the state first came to the attention of the Portuguese in the 15th
century. Portuguese explorer Rui de Sequeira visited the area in 1472, naming the area around the
city Lago de Curamo. Another explanation of the name of Lagos is that Lagos was named for Lagos,
Portugala maritime town which, at the time, was the main center of Portuguese expeditions
down the African coast.

From the time of the crowing of Ado (as its first Oba of Lagos which was then called Eko), Lagos was
a major center of the slave trade. Unfortunately, Oba of Benin Ado and his successors for over 4
centuries supported the slave trade. This ended in 1841 when Oba Akitoye ascended the throne of
Lagos and attempted to ban slave trading. Local merchants strongly opposed this action. They
deposed and exiled the king and installed Akitoyes brother Kosoko as Oba or leader of Lagos. At
exile in Europe, Akitoye met with British authorities, who had banned slave-trading in 1807, and
who therefore decided to support the deposed Oba to regain his throne. With the success of the
British intervention in 1851, Akitoye was reinstalled as Oba of Lagos. In practical terms, however,
British influence over the kingdom had become absolute, and ten years later, in 1861, Lagos was
formally annexed as a British colony. The British Empire colonized many areas of the world.
Colonialism and imperialism are evil since it denies human democratic rights, it leads into unjust
economic exploitation, and it restricts the independence of the peoples of the world. The British
annexed Lagos as a colony in 1861. The remainder of the Benin Empire (or modern day Nigeria) was
seized by the British in 1887. Lagos was annexed by Britain via the Lagos Treaty of Cession in 1861
ending the consular period and starting the British colonial period. The remainder of modern-day
Nigeria was seized in 1886. When the British created the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in
1914, Lagos was declared its capital.
 Jamhuriyar Taraiyar Nijeriya
Nigeria's Independence

Lagos maintained its status as capital when Nigeria obtained its independence from Britain in 1960.
Nigerias independence movement has a long history. Nigeria stretches from the dry grasslands of
the north to the moist rain forests of the south. It was three groups that dominate its political,
economic, and social structures. The mainly Christian Ibo and Yoruba peoples are in the south. The
mostly Muslim Hausa people dominate the north. There are hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria
too. When World War II ended, more and more anti-colonial movements existed in Africa, Asia,
Latin America, etc. They wanted independence from brutal imperialist powers. Members of these
human beings from those areas saw the defeat of fascism of the Nazis and the Empire of Japan as a
total justification for them to be free from tyranny. The 19th century Berlin conference caused
European nations to divide much of Africa up unjustly into colonial outposts. Yet, heroic Africans
fought back in order for them to witness revolutionary changes in their societies. There was the
Negritude movement back then too. This movement was made up of Africans and Afro-Caribbeans
who wanted to celebrate and advance African culture, heritage, and values. Much of the movement
was based in Paris. They (or members of this international movement) wrote literature, gave
speeches, and spread their ideals in a variety of ways.

After World War II, the British gradually gave in to the growing demands of independence from the
Nigerian people. Once, Nigeria was a British colony. Colonialism allowed resource exploitation by
imperial powers in order to benefit the interests of Empire instead of the interests of the masses of
the people in various nations. Before 1960, the economy of Nigeria grew more rapidly in the south
than the north. Back then, Nigeria was divided into Northern and Southern Provinces including the
Lagos Colony. Education was spread in the Nigerian area. After World War II, changes in the world
happened. Independence movements in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and South America grew into
the next level.

Nigerian nationalism spread and Nigerians demanded independence from the United Kingdom.
There were gradual constitutions which were legalized by the British government, which moved
Nigeria to self-government on a representative and more federal basis. On October 1, 1954, the
colony became the autonomous Federation of Nigeria. By the middle of the 20th century, the great
wave for independence was sweeping across Africa. On October 27, 1958, Britain agreed that
Nigeria would become an independent state on October 1, 1960.

Therefore, on October 1, 1960, Nigeria had its independence. It had a Constitution and it was a
parliamentary government. The Nigerian People's Congress (NPC) represented conservative,
Muslim, largely Hausa and Fulani interests that dominated the Northern Region. The northern
region of the country, consisting of three-quarters of the land area and more than half the
population of Nigeria. Thus the North dominated the federation government from the beginning of
independence. In the 1959 elections held in preparation for independence, the NPC captured 134
seats in the 312-seat parliament. Capturing 89 seats in the federal parliament was the second
largest party in the newly independent country the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
The NCNC represented the interests of the Igbo- and Christian-dominated people of the Eastern
Region of Nigeria. The Action Group (AG) was a left-leaning party that represented the interests of
the Yoruba people in the West. In the 1959 elections the AG obtained 73 seats. So, Nigeria back in
1960 was made up of a government that was a coalition of conservative parties. One was the
Nigerian Peoples Congress or the NPC (which was dominated by Northerners and those of the
Islamic faith). The second faction was the Igbo and Christian dominated National Council of
Nigeria and Cameroons (or the NCNC) led by Nnamdi Azikwe. The opposition was made up of the
liberal Action Group or AG. The cultural and political differences between Nigeria's dominant
ethnic groups the Hausa ('Northerners'), Igbo ('Easterners') and Yoruba ('Westerners') were
sharp.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria was formed by Nnamdi Azikiwe. He was the countrys first
President. There were economic and educational development disparities in the north and south.
There were ethnic and religious tensions too. Azikiwe was an Igbo. He was a well-known Nigerian
nationalist. The Hausa and Fulani mostly lived in the northern region of Nigeria and they were
mostly Muslims. In the southern region of Nigeria, there were the Yoruba and Igbo who were
mostly Christians, Muslims, and animists. Animists are people who believed that spirits are present
in animals, plants, and natural objects. The Yoruba lived to the west and they were a farming people
while the Igbo lived in the east. The Yoruba had a tradition of kings while the Igbo had a tradition of
democratic traditions. Nigeria had a federal system where the power is shared between state
government and a central authority. The Nigerians set up 3 states, one for each region and ethnic
group (with a political party in each). After the brutal Biafra civil war in Nigeria, Nigeria united.

The Nigerian Civil War lasted from 1967 to January 1970. It started with tensions among the North
and the South of Nigeria. Igbos in the Northern cities suffered persecution. Many of them fled to
the Eastern Region. In May 1967, the Eastern Region declared independence as a state called the
Republic of Biafra under the leadership of Lt. Colonel Emeka Ojukwu. The Nigerian government
didnt want a new nation of Biafra. So, they (used soldiers from the North and West) attack Biafra
(in the Southeastern part of the country) on July 6, 1967. Between 1 and 3 million people died as a
product of warfare, disease, and starvation during the 30 month civil war. France, Egypt, the Soviet
Union, Britain, Israel, and others were deeply involved in the civil war behind the scenes. Britain and
the Soviet Union were the main military backers of the Nigerian government while France and
others aided the Biafrans. Nigeria used Egyptian pilots for their air force.

The Modern Age

Lagos was therefore the capital city of Nigeria from 1914 until 1991, when it was replaced as
Federal Capital Territory by planned city of Abuja, built specifically for such purpose. Lagos
experienced rapid growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a result of Nigeria's economic boom
prior to the Biafran War. During that time period, regional, ethnic, and religious differences led into
conflict in Nigeria. In 1966, Nigeria experienced many military coups. A second coup came later by
year by the northern Muslim officers. They led to a rebellion in the oil rich southeast by the Ibo
people, who declared independence as the Republic of Biafra. A 3 year civil war existed that left
thousands of people to die. In the end, Nigerias military defeated the Biafran rebels and end
Biafras independence. Civilian rule in Nigeria came about in 1999 with free elections.
Brother Hakeem Olajuwon is now 54 years old. He is one of the greatest players in NBA. From 1984
to 2002, he played in the NBA. Hakeem Olajuwon was very creative in his ability, he shot the ball
well, and he always is a people person. Houston loved him and he loved the Houston Rockets and
its fans. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria and his family is part of the Yoruba ethnic group. Nigeria has
dozens of ethnic groups. He is the third of eight children. He played soccer and played basketball by
the age of 17 years old. His parents are Salim and Abike Olajuwon. They were working class Yoruba
owners of a cement business in Lagos, Nigeria. His parents instilled in him the real values of honest,
hard work, respect to elders, and belief in himself.

He came into the University of Houston to play in college. Houston is home to many immigrants and
it is a very diverse city. His coach in the university was coach Guy Lewis. His freshman year was from
1980 to 1981. He improved his game by practicing with the legend Moses Malone in Houston.
Malone back then played in the Houston Rockets ironically enough. Hakeem Olajuwon said the
following words about the experience: "The way Moses helped me is by being out there playing and
allowing me to go against that level of competition. He was the best center in the NBA at the time,
so I was trying to improve my game against the best." From that summer of practic3e, Hakeem
became a much better player in college. He and his teammates (including Clyde Drexler) were
nicknamed Phi Slama Jama because of their dunking ability. In his sophomore and junior years he
helped the Cougars advance to consecutive NCAA championship games, where they lost to North
Carolina State on a last second tip-in in 1983 and a Patrick Ewing-led Georgetown team in 1984.
Olajuwon won the 1983 NCAA Tournament Player of the Year award, even though he played for the
losing team in the final game. He was the first overall selection by the Rockets in the 1984 NBA
draft.

In the NBA, he played with Ralph Sampson, Clyde Drexler, and other legends in the Houston
Rockets. He won 2 NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995. He ended his career in the Toronto
Raptors. He has trained young basketball players for years. Hakeem Olajuwon was very skilled as
both an offensive and defensive player. Olajuwon is the only player in NBA history to record more
than 200 blocks and 200 steals in the same season. He averaged 3.09 blocks and 1.75 steals per
game for his career. He has worked in charities and he's a man who is a legend.
I havent forgotten about this important issue. Boko Haram is a theocratic, terrorist organization
that has kidnapped many innocent, young girls. They have brutalized and murdered people all over
Nigeria. Boko Haram is not only an enemy of human rights. They are an enemy of humanity in
general for their promotion of numerous evils. Therefore, we want all of the girls returned back to
their homes safely. Many girls have been rescued in recent months, but much more is needed to
make sure that all of the girls are returned home. Therefore, Boko Haram deserves to be brought to
justice for their disturbing crimes against humanity. We want all of the kidnapped human beings to
return home. Also, we desire more harmony among Nigerians who are Christians, Muslims,
animists, atheists, etc. Regardless of our beliefs and creeds, we all deserve equal protection, human
rights, and freedom. Unspeakable anguish that these young girls have experienced is heartbreaking
and oppression ought to never be tolerated period. To make the goal of independence complete in
the Motherland of Africa, human rights must be preserved for the inhabitants of Africa 100%. Like
always, we believe in defending the human rights of black girls and black women.
Many conflicts continued through the 1980's and 1990's up to the present date. In 1991, Ibrahim
Babangida, the Military President and other government functions moved to the newly built capital.
This was as a result of intelligence reports on the safety of his life and what was later to be termed
his hidden agenda, which was the plan to turn himself into a civilian president. He finished what
was started by the Murtala/Obasanjo regime. The change resulted in Lagos losing some prestige
and economic leverage. However, it has retained its importance as the country's largest city and as
an economic center. Religious conflict among Christians and Muslims continue in Nigeria. We want
any Nigeria, regardless of his or her creed, to live in peace and harmony. Nigeria is very oil rich
country too. In 2002, Lagos was divided into 57 local council areas. The Pan African University was
created in Lagos in 2002 too. Spring Bank was created in 2004. Moments with Mo, which is talk
show started to broadcast in 2006. Lagos had its Teslim Balogun Stadium to be built by 2007. The
Centre for Contemporary Art was founded in 2007. The Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge was completed by
2013.

General Muhammadu Buhari been declared winner of the 2015 presidential elections in the
country. General Muhammadu Buhari took over the helm of affairs in May 2015 after a peaceful
transfer of power from the Jonathan led administration. He is from the All Progressive Congress. On
4 January 2015, while campaigning for the 2015 general election, Buhari stated that he
favoured freedom of religion, that every Nigerian should be free and secure to practice their
different religions. Buhari said, "Religion must never be used as an excuse to divide us, oppress
others or gain unfair advantage. All my life I have expressed the belief that all Nigerians must
worship God according to their wish."

Lagos has a long history, great people, and they represent one great city of the
Motherland of Africa.

By Timothy