CULTURAL PRESERVATION: LAHA HOUSE COMMITTEE VISITS LATE KING KOSOKO’S PALACE

… As OLOJA Appeals to LAHA to Turn Late Oba’s Palace to Historical Site

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture visited King Kosoko’s Palace in Badagry to witness first hand, the historical culture and heritage of the King.

Hon. Bonu Solomon, the Chairman Committee on Tourism, representing Badagry, gave context to the reason behind the visit saying, “When you lose your culture, you have lost the value of your life. This is a historic day for me and my colleagues, and we have no choice but to make laws to back up this kind of monument in Lagos State.”

During the visit, Hon. Bonu was particularly intrigued by a picture showing people being executed by placing their backs on a drum. He connected this with recent discussions about capital punishment for kidnappers.

The Chairman emphasised the need for the legislative arm of government to revisit justice and capital punishment laws to ensure appropriate punishments for offences.

Oloja of Lagos, Abiola Kosoko, who is a descendant of King Kosoko, revealed that the artifacts in the museum were collected over the past six years, noting that the goal is to involve the government in making the palace a tourist site.

Mr. Kosoko urged the State Assembly and the Executive to support the family in declaring King Kosoko’s 161-year-old building a historical site.

According to him, the family has been working on the preservation of their heritage for the past six years and sought government involvement, through the Lagos State Assembly, because they understand how laws work and can provide the necessary legal framework.

Regarding the impact of culture in curbing social vices, Kosoko said, “We should honour good history and recognise good antecedents that will keep our history together. Our culture allows for correction and honouring. When we have Obatala festival, people understand why they must not do some things wrong during that time.”

The Oloja also expressed his support for capital punishment for people who kidnap and kill others. He cited historical evidence, showing pictures of individuals executed for their crimes, as a reminder of the consequences of such actions.

The late King Kosoko reigned as Oba of Lagos from 1845 to 1851 and passed away in 1872.