Former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd) has publicly expressed his concerns regarding the recent renaming of historic streets and bus stops in Lagos State.
Naijaonpoint reports that Bariga Local Government had recently renamed Charly Boy bus stop after Olamide (Badoo). The LGA Chairman, Kolade Alabi also named some streets after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Bukayo Saka, Tony Tetula, 9ice, amongst others.
Reacting in a statement sent to Naijaonpoint, Olanrewaju argued that these changes are unethical and represent a significant injustice to the indigenous people of Lagos.
He highlighted the cultural and historical implications of such actions, urging current political power holders to reconsider their decisions.
Olanrewaju cited ethical concerns as he described the renaming of streets as an “inconceivable injustice,” emphasizing that such actions typically reflect a disregard for the longstanding identity of Lagos and its citizens.
He called on current leaders, whom he describes as “temporary power controllers,” to honour and preserve the city’s historical legacy rather than replace it with names that have no local significance.
He raised concerns about the “obliteration” of the landmark history of communities within Lagos, warning that such actions distort the rich heritage that the city holds.
The retired general referenced the shift in political power dynamics in Lagos since 1999, suggesting that there has been marginalization of indigenous peoples by non-indigenes within governance frameworks.
He highlighted that the current changes are part of a broader trend that threatens the representation and voice of the local populace, urging both the government and the citizens of Lagos State to advocate for restoration of the original street names, which he believes are integral to the identity of the city.
He said: “Lagos State today has lost its indigeneity rights to keep her old legacy street names, and they are now being replaced with new names by newly elected political administrators.
“These resident usurper administrators must be made to understand that they hold this political power temporarily. It is just for a short time. They are now changing old street names to undeserved new identities who have no connection to the land, forgetting that they will govern for a short time.
“The new beneficiaries of the street name change have contributed nothing significant in terms of developments and have no connections to the land they hold in trust for the people.
“These politicians are obliterating the landmark history of our communities and state. They should revert to the old street names.”
He, however, also seized the statement to put the record straight to Omoyele Sowore over his comment that Lagos does not belong to a specific tribe, agreeing with the Ondo State-born that although Lagos is not an all-Yoruba land but belong specifically to Lagos State indigenes.
“Whilst I agree with Sowore that renaming of Lagos streets is politically motivated, his knowledge of Lagos as a “No Man’s Land” brings out his lack of historical understanding of Lagos pre-colonial and imperial administration leading to Lagos becoming a colony under British rule. Lagos existed before Nigeria became a country in 1914. Probably, Sowore was born when history as a subject was removed as a subject of study in the country,” he said.
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