The Olofin of Isheri and Adimula of Awori Kingdom, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade, has faulted the claim of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, that Lagos was founded by the Binis, News About Nigeria reports.
On Thursday, the Olofin urged the Oba of Benin to retrace the origin of the Benin Kingdom to Ile Ife, as the Aworis have always done.
He stated that Lagos was founded and established by Olofin Ogunfuminire, the progenitor of the Awori people.
He added that Olofin had left Ile-Ife to settle at Isheri before migrating with his wife, Ajaiye, to present-day Iddo in the heart of Lagos.
The Olofin emphasized that it was at Iddo where Ajaiye was blessed with offspring, known as the Idejo, who are the actual traditional landowners of Lagos.
“It was at Iddo that Ajaiye was blessed with the fruits of the womb. Her offspring are the Idejo, who are the actual traditional landowners of Lagos,” he said.
He continued by stating that Olofin Ogunfuminire had assigned Iru to the Oniru, Ikate to the Elegushi, Lagos Island to Aromire, Iganmu to Ojora, Otto, and mainland to the Oloto (up to Odo–Iya Alaro).
Isheri was the dispersal point where other Olofin Ogunfunminire descendants left to found other Awori towns.
Akeredun left Isheri to establish Igbesa; Odoyi left Isheri to find Agboyi, and Osolo and Eleidi Atalabi left Isheri to find Ota.
Furthermore, he disclosed that these facts are supported by extant literature written by foreign authors and researchers.
Oba Ewuare II created a buzz among Nigerians, especially on social media, when he claimed that the Binis founded Lagos during a visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu, on Sunday.
He maintained that it is in the history books that the Binis founded Lagos.
