Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has emphasised the urgent need to preserve the rich history of Lagos to guard against distortion and historical revisionism, especially amid ongoing public debates over street naming in the state.
Fashola made the call on Tuesday during the public presentation of Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1), held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Fashola highlighted the importance of documentation in safeguarding the city's heritage and values, warning that failure to do so could lead to the erasure or manipulation of historical facts.
“The archival heritage is a valuable testimony to the sociopolitical and economic development of humanity,” he said.
He cited the University of Glasgow's digital archives as an example of how historical records can provide meaningful insight into the contributions of individuals and institutions to global development.
“For instance, the Glasgow University Archives Service offers 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 noted.
Fashola pointed out that one of the earliest Nigerian students at the university, Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, enrolled in 1913 and graduated in 1918, illustrating the depth of historical connections worth preserving.
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, commended the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau for its efforts in chronicling the state's history through the newly launched book.
Hamzat reiterated the importance of historical documentation, stressing that preserving Lagos's past was essential to shaping its future.
The event, which brought together historians, educators, and policymakers, served as a reminder of the need for deliberate and sustained efforts to protect the identity and legacy of Lagos in the face of urban development and changing political narratives.
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