In a bid to preserve the rich historical heritage of Isale Eko in Lagos State, the Isale Eko Descendants Union, the family of Oba Adeniji-Adele II have partnered with the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, LASRAB, to showcase various historic exhibitions in Isale Eko.
To that effect, the maiden edition of the exhibition opened to the public on Sunday December 26, 2021, at Isale Eko House, Iga Idugaran, with the pictorial exhibition to relive the life and times of His Royal Majesty, Oba Musendiku Adeniji-Adele, Adele II who was the 19th Oba of Lagos between 1949-1964”.
According to Prince Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, a former Attorney General in Lagos State whi is also a descendant of the revered monarch, the exhibition gave a glimpse into the life and times of the revered leader, while showing how impactful he was to the affairs of Lagos.
“The Oba meant many things to so many people. He was a political and community leader, loving father and husband, religious leader, and beacon of hope to so many. We have a lot to learn from his life and times and the Adeniji-Adele family are grateful to the Isale -Eko descendants Union for providing this rallying platform for Isale-Eko indigenes
“Looking at his life it is very clear that Oba Adeniji-Adele II was a pathfinder for the creation of the Lagos, which is now a trillion Naira, 5th largest economy in Africa. We are indeed grateful for his efforts and the legacy it has created for so many Lagosians.
“Sadly, he was not alive to witness the creation of Lagos State in 1967. Nonetheless he clearly lived well and would have been proud of the eventual realization of his dreams of a Lagos State.
“We are told his skills as a problem solver were legendary hence the nickname ‘Ologbon dori eja mu,’ we are told he was deeply religious and versed in the Quran hence the title ‘Afinju Oba to ke Yasin’. We know he was a passionate Lagosian of immense stature who pushed the Lagos State question whenever the opportunity presented itself. He was good listener and less of a talker but a leader whose eventual pronouncements were always impactful.
“From the pictures on display, you will also get the sense of his deep connection to his people which is very key for any aspiring leader.
“He was an educated traditionalist and modernist who was able to strike a balance between, operating as a political leader, community and traditional leader and player on the World stage dealing with the British colonialists.
“His faith in the power of God to be the ultimate resolver was so strong and unshaken that his family and followers were always reminded by him to always put God first in their decision making. We can surely learn a lot of from this policy of God first.
“As Isale-Eko Idigenes, indeed as Lagosians we must continue to learn from this great man’s legacies; that in pursuit of our objectives, never lose faith, be bold, be brave, be resolute and our dreams and aspirations for a rebirth of a great Isale-Eko and Lagos will be realizable” he said in his address at the exhibition.”
In her remarks at the event, the Director-General of LASRAB, Mrs. Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, said the significance of the programme was for the preservation of the life and times of one of the important kings in Lagos State who died several years ago.
Adebiyi-Abiola, represented by Dr. Kolawole Oseni, a Director in the agency, noted that the celebration was possible because some people were paying attention to the growth, life and development of the King while he was alive.
Her words: “We, at the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau, are committed to keeping proper documentation and we thank the family of our late King for being very cautious in keeping all these records and that is why we are able to preserve some of the archival materials being celebrated today”.
She urged Lagosians to cultivate the habit of record keeping and preservation of historical heritage, saying “We are all qualified for exhibition and must all begin to keep and preserve our records as individuals, families, communities and as a nation, this is the only way we can be talking about the future to preserve it by creating it now”.
A granddaughter of the late king, Omolola Adele-Oso, said that the occasion was also meant to showcase the rich culture of Isale Eko.
“Isale Eko is one of the oldest parts of Lagos. The prosperity of Lagos started here, a lot of policies that make Lagos State a rich commercial hub started from here during the reign of the king”, she said.
While emphasising that there is a whole lot of richness in Isale Eko, from politics to the economic growth and to tourism, she said there is a lot more that people need to know, informing that the exhibitions were designed to attract tourists, not just for economic purposes but for the richness of the culture that is in the community.
Adele-Oso said: “Tourism is beyond entertainment, Nollywood and afrobeat. It is a great way to attract people here to celebrate and boost the economy of this community. There is a lot of richness in Lagos that started from here and an exhibition as this is a step forward”.
“There is a lot of richness about Isale Eko heritage that people need to understand. There were cinemas, casinos and theatres here, but they are no more, due to lack of preservation. We need to do this for all the families that have come before now because this will give room for investment, job creation and boost the community”, she added.
The exhibition runs till the end of this month’s on weekends only.
