Eko founders’ controversy: Academics, Olota, Lagos chief tackle Oba of Benin
A recent comment by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, who traced the origin of Lagos to the Binis, has elicited stiff opposition from a prominent Awori monarch, the Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege; some academics and a Lagos chief, GBENGA OLONINIRAN and SODIQ OJURONGBE write The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has sparked controversy among Nigerians especially on social media when the king said the Binis founded Lagos. During a visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday, the monarch who was aware of the potential mixed reactions that would trail his comments, went ahead to grab the bull by the horn. Oba Ewuare said, “It is in the history books that the Binis founded Lagos. When some people will hear it now, they will go haywire; what is the Oba saying there again? But it is true. Go and check the records. Maybe not all over Lagos as we know it now but certain areas in Lagos, maybe the nucleus of Lagos, were founded by my ancestors. The Oba of Lagos will say so.