Fashola Urges Lagos to Preserve Its History Amid Street Naming Debates

Former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has emphasized the importance of preserving the state’s history to prevent distortion and uphold its cultural values, especially amid ongoing debates surrounding street naming in Lagos.

Fashola made this call on Tuesday during the public unveiling of Discover Lagos State: A History Puzzle Book (Volume 1), held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island.

Representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the event, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat highlighted the significance of chronicling Lagos’s history, commending the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) for publishing the book at a timely moment.

Citing examples from the University of Glasgow’s digital archives, Fashola noted that historical documentation has global impact. He referenced records detailing the contributions of Nigerian students such as Dr. Isaac Ladipo Oluwole, who studied at the university from 1913 to 1918 before returning to Nigeria to become the first African medical officer of health in the Lagos colony.

According to Fashola, Dr. Oluwole’s pioneering efforts in school health inspections and vaccinations, and his establishment of Nigeria’s first school of hygiene in Yaba in 1920, are significant. He added that understanding such achievements helps Lagosians appreciate why landmarks like Ladipo Oluwole Street in Ikeja exist.

“In light of recent discussions around street naming and renaming, I find it important to reemphasize the value of preserving our history. Our archives serve as a critical link to understanding our societal growth,” Fashola remarked.

He advocated for proper funding of LASRAB, stressing that it should be transformed into a central, trusted repository of Lagos State’s memory and heritage.

Also speaking, Dr. Hamzat praised the new history puzzle book as a creative initiative blending education, culture, and entertainment. He said the project was designed to ignite curiosity among young readers and deepen their understanding of Lagos’s heritage.

He recalled how Fashola, during his tenure as governor, issued an executive order mandating that documentation of infrastructure projects be archived in both the Ministry of Science and Technology and LASRAB. According to Hamzat, this initiative laid the groundwork for a structured and accessible historical record.

“This book helps preserve our identity. Through it, we not only entertain and educate, but we also ensure future generations don’t lose sight of where we come from,” he added.