The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has said that only anarchists describe Lagos as a “no man’s land,” insisting that there is no historical or empirical basis for such a claim.
Omotoso stated this at an event organised by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) in Magodo to commemorate World Archives Day, where he emphasized the importance of preserving the state’s heritage and historical identity.
He said, “The battle for the protection of our heritage has to be fought on two fronts — technology and ideology. The second challenge is what I call the question of people who claim that Lagos is a no man’s land. There is no empirical fact to support this bogus and vacuous claim, nor can it be validated through any available record. So the battle, in my view, is between archivists and anarchists.”
Omotoso urged the state to leverage technology in documenting and showcasing its rich history and cultural heritage. “We must use technology to make our archival materials accessible to the public and keep them in the consciousness of our people. Lagos has so much to show — from the works of our royal fathers to our architectural heritage. We must take control of technology to tell our story,” he said.
The Commissioner commended LASRAB officials for their commitment to preserving Lagos’ history and pledged that the state government would continue to support the bureau with the necessary resources to “fight the anarchists on the technological front” and strengthen Lagos’ historical narrative.
Dignitaries at the event included the Head of Service, Mr. Olabode Agoro; the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal; the Opeluwa of Lagos, Chief Lateef Aderibigbe Ajose, who represented the Oba of Lagos; and Erelu Abiola Dosumu, the Erelu Kuti of Lagos, among others.