12 pretty interesting facts about the city

kehinde omotosho

April 27, 2017 1:41 PM

From the history of the Lagos statue to the history of the Eyo festival, discover these and many other interesting facts about Lagos.

Lagos state

50 years for any individual or organisation is a pretty big deal and for Lagos, its more than just a big deal, its significant.

Lagos State was one of the 12 states created on 27th May 1967 by General Yakubu Gowon and loads of festivities have been going on the state just to celebrate this golden jubilee of the eventful city.

Filled with a lot of vibes and history, here are some pretty interesting facts you should know about Lagos.

1. Third mainland bridge is the second longest bridge in Africa. It was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the '6th October Bridge' located in Cairo was completed. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

ALSO READ: Lagos at 50; Check out 11 super exciting events lined up for the next 50 days

2. Lagos state University (LASU), the only state University was established as far back as 1983, thanks to Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

3. The Lekki-Ikoyi bridge is the most snapped bridge in Lagos state.

4. The third mainland-island bridge, Carter bridge was built in 1901.

5. Thanks to Lagos state, one of African largest as well as busiest ports lies in the city.

6. NNDP (Nigeria National Democratic Party), Nigeria's first political party formed in 1923 by Herbert Macaulay to take advantage of the new Clifford Constitution, the NNDP successfully organized various Lagos interest groups into a single group that was able to compete politically.

7. Standing at over 12ft high, the sculpture was built to welcome people coming into Lagos State. In ancient times that’s how the chiefs greet each other. The Renowned sculptor,Dr. Bodun Sodeinde was the one commissioned by the Raji Rasaki administration to build the statute.

8. As at 1898, electric street lighting was limited mainly to the European residential areas in the state.

9. They are called the “Ere Metta” or also known as the "Idejo Statue",constructed in 1991 under the administration of Colonel Raji Rasaki. There has been many interpretations as to what the statute means,The first is the “street” version that says 1st one stand for : O gbodo ridin ju (You must no be silly) 2nd one stand for : O gbodo Suegbe(You can be a dullard) 3rd one stand for : O gbodo ya mugu (You must be sharp always). Well that’s what most of us grew up knowing.But the interpretation of the statute possess more cultural and spiritual meaning than the ordinary eye,the symbolic greeting mode demonstrated by the statues is referred to as the ‘Owo Awo.’ greetings by White Cap chiefs of Lagos State.

10. The Eyo Festival which is a Yoruba festival unique to Lagos, presented as a tourist event traditionally performed on Lagos Island was first held in 1854.

11. The oldest secondary school in Nigeria was founded in Lagos state. Founded by the Christian Missionary Society (CMS), this school is the alma mater to notable Nigerians like Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Shonekan, Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, Akintola Williams, Dare Art-Alade, and several others.

12. The population in Lagos state increases on a daily basis by 77 people per hour, that's why Lagos is the most populous city in West Africa.

Lagos is one amazing city in Nigeria and the whole of West Africa and it's pretty interesting discovering these facts about the state.

Happy 50th Lagos!

kehinde omotosho