It a rich intellectual discourse and brilliant celebration of culture and creativity at this year’s King Kosoko Memorial Lecture themed: “The Lagos Economy during the Era of King Kosoko: A Tale of Prosperity and Decline.

The public lecture commemorating the economic legacy of King Kosoko was a thought-provoking and enlightening event that shed light on his significant contributions to the economic prosperity of Lagos.

Held penultimate Sunday in the historic Glover Memorial Hall, Customs Street, Lagos Island, the lecture, organised by the Oloja-Elect of Lagos, Prince Abiola Kosoko, one of the descendants of the late King Kosoko, who was the Oba of Lagos between 1845 and 1851, drew a diverse audience of renowned scholars, arts and culture administrators, history enthusiasts, and other.

Notable among these, include the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John, the Erelu of Lagos, Chief Abiola Dosumu, the Oloja of Lagos Elect, Prince Abiola Kosoko, several traditional rulers, other members of the King Kosoko Royal family, and other dignitaries.

Highlights of the event include paper presentation by renowned experts, goodwill messages, cultural displays, and launching of a book, titled ‘King Kosoko, His Life, His People and His Settlements’, written by the Oloja of Lagos Elect, Prince Abiola Kosoko.

The Minister of Tourism, in her address, called on Nigerians to embrace and take pride in Nigeria’s vast, rich cultural heritage, and invite the world to witness the wonder that is Lagos and the magic that is Nigeria.

She said: “Today, we honour the enduring legacy of King Kosoko. I am filled with pride and gratitude. “Today, we are custodians of history. It is our duty to ensure that the stories of our ancestors, their triumphs and struggles are never lost,” she said, stressing that Nigeria’s vast culture and tourism potential remained largely untapped.

“Research revealed that in 2019, tourism contributed nearly 5% to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with just over 1.2 million international visitors. Imagine what these figures would look like if our 200 million plus population buy into the idea of domestic travel.”

The Minister noted that Lagos, rich in culture and history, leads this growth, stressing that “initiatives like this serve as beacons that can attract even more to our shores. The possibilities are endless if we fully tap into the potential of our over 1,000 assets and over 800 festivals.

“As we leave today, let King Kosoko’s spirit, his courage, vision and love for his people inspire us. I hope this will drive our passion to make Nigeria a global cultural destination.” In her remark, the Erelu of Lagos, Chief Abiola Dosumu, noted that Kosoko left beautiful legacies which made the economy of Lagos to thrive.

She advised that the legacies of the late monarch should be be upheld and sustained through hard work for the purpose of posterity. “King Kosoko was not a coward. He was a confident and great king, an achiever who left wonderful legacies.

“We have such beautiful legacies, beautiful heritage left for us by our ancestors but we don’t often tell our stories,” she said, stressing that “we must tell our stories.” According to her, “Lagos is the crucible in which Nigeria was built.

Lagos had been there hundreds of years before 1940. We should be proud that our ancestors left the foundation for the prosperity of this great country. “Just follow the trajectory of the Obas of Lagos; they started trading with the Portuguese long before colonialism came in and our fore fathers were paving way making economic exploits.

“I congratulate the Kosoko family, thank you for keeping the legacies. You are the descendants of a great leader. We are proud of Kosoko’s achievements. “It is not enough when people say Lagos is no man’s land.

This is because we neglect our rights and the great acumen deposited in us. “Let us prove that we are achievers, our ancestors are achievers. They paved the way for other achievers who came from other parts of the world to find their golden fish here.”

Earlier, the speakers delivered a captivating presentation that delved into the policies and initiatives implemented by King Kosoko that laid the foundation for a thriving economy in Lagos.

In his presentation, the Acting Director, Directorate of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Habeeb Sanni, analysed the economic status of Lagos from the 15th century.

Sanni noted that Lagos economy witnessed a boost since the emergence of Oba Akinsemoyin, adding that this was when the economy of Lagos transformed from purely domestic trade to international trade. He explained that though Akinsemoyin laid the foundation for the up – surge in Lagos economy, Kosoko’s era witnessed an unprecedented boom in Lagos economy.

He said this was accentuated by the volume of slaves exported from the Lagos port during his short reign. “In an era when the slave trade faced its most difficult challenge, Kosoko and his supporters ensured its sustenance until he was forced out of his stool.

“He displayed his economic capability by diversifying into the new trade in palm oil to the consternation of his enemies who had to annex his booming trade at Orimedu into the Lagos economy.

“The British diversion of the palm oil trade of Orimedu into Lagos signaled the decline of the trade there, more so when King Kosoko had been persuaded to return to Lagos as a private citizen,” he said.

Also speaking, Prof. Adewunmi Falode, of the Department of History and International Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), described the late Kosoko as a fantastic strategist who defeated the British when he was attacked in November 1851.

He said the British were only able to defeat him when they came back in December, same year, due to their sophsticated weapons. –

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Oloja of Lagos Elect, Prince Abiola Kosoko, noted that the lecture series aims to explore the highs and low of King Kosoko’s era. “We are gathered today to pay tribute to the remarkable legacy of King Kosoko, a visionary leader who shaped the economic landscape of Lagos.

This lecture series aims to explore the highs and low of his era. Offering valuable insights into the city’s rich history. “Your participation and support means the world to us.

Let us come together to celebrate King Kosoko’s enduring impact on Lagos and explore the lessons of his era as a guide to the future,” he said.