Lagos

Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. As only two censuses (in 1972 and 1991) have been taken since independence, estimates of its population vary considerably, but generally range from 10 to 15 million people, making it one of the largest in Africa (second only to Cairo, Egypt). One of the fastest-growing cities in the world, Lagos is located at 6°34'60" North, 3°19'59" East (6.58333, 3.333). http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html

History

Lagos was originally called Eko, which means "cassava farm". It was founded by the royal family that came from Benin city. The founding king was Ado. He begat Gabaro, Akinsemoyin, and Erelu Kuti.

Related Topics:
Cassava - Benin city

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Eko was the land area where the king's palace was built. The indigenous people settled down in the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", Isale meaning bottom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Erelu Kuti begat Ologun Kutere, who became king, and Shokun his brother, who was given a Chieftancy house behind the king's palace called "Onile-gbale" (Land owner-sweeps your land).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The King dynasty started henceforth and the king's brother started his own chieftancy family behind the palace building.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Modern-day Lagos was founded by Portugal in the sixteenth century, and was a major center of the slave trade until 1851, when Great Britain, which had abolished slavery in 1807, captured the city. It was formally annexed as a British colony in 1861. The remainder of modern-day Nigeria was siezed in 1886, and when the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria was established in 1914 Lagos was declared its capital. The city remained the capital of Nigeria after the country gained its independence in 1960, and experienced rapid growth throughout the 1960s and 1970s as a result of Nigeria's economic boom prior to the Biafran War.

Related Topics:
Portugal - Slave trade - Great Britain - Biafran War

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lagos lost some prestige in 1991 when the national capital was moved north and inland, to Abuja. However, it has retained its importance as the country's largest city and as an economic center.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~