Fashola Cautions Against Street Renaming in Lagos, Warns: “Don’t Erase Our History”
Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has cautioned against the increasing practice of renaming streets across Lagos, describing it as a subtle erasure of historical memory and legacy.
Speaking on Tuesday at the public unveiling of “Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1),” Fashola emphasised the importance of preserving the stories and achievements of prominent figures after whom many streets are named. He cited academic records from the University of Glasgow as evidence of Nigeria’s rich historical ties and contributions.
Fashola drew attention to the legacy of Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole Nigeria’s first African medical officer of health who championed school health initiatives and established the first school of hygiene in Yaba in 1920. He noted that streets like Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja are more than addresses they are living monuments to the nation’s progress.
“But it is perhaps instructive that we are discussing street naming and street unnaming,” he remarked, suggesting that the issue warrants deeper reflection and public involvement. “I keep my gunpowder dry,” he added, indicating his quiet readiness to defend Nigeria’s historical narratives.
He also called for increased public support for the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB), an agency he helped establish during his tenure, to ensure historical data and documentation are preserved for future generations.
Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat applauded the initiative behind the book and praised Fashola’s foresight in creating LASRAB. He stressed that preserving history is crucial to preserving identity.
“It is important that we don’t only understand ourselves, but we must understand our history so we don’t lose ourselves,” Hamzat said. “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.”
The launch of the puzzle book marks an innovative step in civic education and cultural preservation, targeting young Nigerians with engaging tools to learn about their heritage.
