A coalition of indigenous groups in Lagos State has petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt the proposed renaming of historic streets in Lagos Mainland Local Government, warning that the move could erase the state’s rich historical heritage and trigger avoidable controversy.
In a “Save Our Soul” petition titled, “Save Our Historic Street Names: A Petition for the Preservation of Lagos Heritage,” the Coalition of Indigenous Peoples of Lagos State (COLIP) urged the governor to suspend the exercise and initiate a comprehensive policy to safeguard streets and landmarks of historical significance.
The petition, signed by the group’s spokesperson, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, accused the Lagos Mainland Local Government of attempting to rewrite the city’s history by replacing long-established street names with new ones.
While stating that it supports honouring distinguished Nigerians, the coalition argued that such recognition should not come at the expense of Lagos’ historical identity.
“Street names are more than signposts; they are part of the living history of a city. They preserve the stories of the people and events that shaped Lagos and serve as enduring reminders for future generations,” the group said.
COLIP specifically opposed the proposed renaming of Freeman Street, Glover Street and Adeniyi-Jones Street, describing the roads as important historical landmarks linked to the evolution of Lagos and Nigeria.
The coalition noted that Henry Stanhope Freeman was the first Governor of the Lagos Colony after the 1861 Treaty of Cession, while John Hawley Glover founded the “Glover’s Hausas,” regarded as the precursor of the Nigerian Army.
It also described Dr. Curtis Adeniyi-Jones as one of Nigeria’s pioneering medical practitioners, a nationalist and co-founder of the country’s first political party.
According to the group, history should be preserved regardless of changing political sentiments.
Drawing comparisons with cities such as London, Paris, Rome and Singapore, COLIP argued that world-class cities protect their historic streets and landmarks because they recognise heritage as a valuable cultural and economic asset.
The coalition urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to suspend all proposals to rename streets of historical significance pending the development of a Heritage Preservation Policy prepared in consultation with historians, traditional rulers, professional bodies and indigenous organisations.
It also called on the Lagos State House of Assembly to enact legislation protecting historic street names and preventing future administrations from altering them arbitrarily.
“Lagos is one of Africa’s oldest and most historically significant cities. A society that loses its history gradually loses its identity. We must preserve our heritage for future generations,” the petition stated.
