How Lagos was formed

In this little article, I have taken into consideration 99% fact and I hope it help someone in the nearest future to know more about LAGOS.

In case you don’t know, Lagos State is located in the south-western part of the Nigerian . On the North and East it is bounded by Ogun State. In the West it shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin. Behind its southern borders lies the Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its 3,577 km2 are lagoons and creeks.Lagos State is the most economically important state of Nigeria. Lagos, is Nigeria largest urban area. It is a major financial centre and the 4th largest economy in Africa. Lagos is the smallest in terms of landmark. It’s total population is estimated as over 18million by LASG in 2012 and in the year 2017 the senator pass a law recognizing YORUBA LANGUAGE as its official language alongside English.

Lagos' initial name was Eko. The name Eko comes from the Yoruba "Oko" (cassava farm) or "Eko" (war camp). The first set of human to settle there were the Awori hunters and fishermen who originally come from Ile-Ife to the coast.

Over 700 years ago, 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 “Eko” current day Lagos. The Oba of Benin  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 in anger 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 State was officially created on 27 May 1967 according to the State Creation and Transitional Provisions Decree No. 14 of 1967, which restructured Nigeria into a Federation of 12 states.Before the issuance of this Decree, Lagos city, which was the country's capital had been administered directly by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Lagos Affairs.However, Ikeja, Agege, Mushin, Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry were administered by the then Western Region Government. Lagos State becoming fully recognized as a semi-autonomous administrative division on 11 April 1968

Lagos served the dual role of being the State and Federal Capital until 1976, when the capital of the State was moved to Ikeja.After the full establishment of the Federal Capital Territory, the seat of the Federal Government was also formally relocated to Abuja on 12 December 1991. Nevertheless, Lagos still remains the financial centre of the country, and also grew to become the most populous city in Nigeria and in the world. 

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