LAGOS UNVEILS STATUES OF KING ADO AND PRINCE OLOFIN
Lagos State Government has once again demonstrated her commitment to the promotion and development of cultural tourism in the State with the unveiling of statues of the first crown king of Lagos, King Ado and the legendary Prince Olofin Atekoye, referred to as the first migrant from Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yorubas, to settle in Lagos.
Speaking at the unveiling of the statues today at Ijora Olopa and Moloney roundabouts respectively, the Acting Commissioner/Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola said, “The unveiling of the Statues validate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision of beautifying Lagos landscape with befitting monuments, as the State prepares to mark her 50th anniversary tagged Lagos @ 50”.
According to her, the monument sites will continue to serve as a destination for tourists in need of historical information to enrich their knowledge of the Arts and Culture of Lagosians.
Elaborating on the historical significance of the statues, the Acting Commissioner said Prince Olofin Atekoye was the grandson of Oduduwa, a powerful hunter, warrior and a renowned blacksmith and the first settler in Lagos.
The shrine of Olofin Atekoye still exists at Iddo where he first settled. The Children of Prince Olofin are today known as IDEJOs who are the popular white cap chiefs of Lagos.
While noting that King Ado was the first crowned King of Lagos, son of Asipa, a warrior that came to Lagos from Benin (the capital of present day Edo State), she emphasised that the throne of Oba of Lagos has remained in the lineage of King Ado, the first King of Lagos.
Hon. Akinsola however, enjoined residents around monument sites in Lagos State to take responsibility and ownership of the highly important structures, stressing that, “their cultural and historical value should not be eroded by vandals and miscreants”.
The unveiling was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Jamiu Adewale Ashimi alongside Directors and management staff of the Ministry.