By Adebayo Omega Frank
According to Yoruba oral history and traditions, Ogunfunminire, a direct descendant of Oduduwa the progenitor of the Yoruba people journeyed from Ile-Ife carrying a sacred sacrifice. He was divinely guided to settle only where the offering would sink into the earth or water.
That pivotal moment occurred in the area now known as Lagos, where the sacrifice sank in the river. This marked the spiritual founding of what would become Aworiland.
Ogunfunminire and his followers established some of the earliest known settlements in Lagos, laying the foundation for the Awori kingdoms that predate colonial presence by centuries.
These Awori communities were deeply rooted in Yoruba customs, governance, and spirituality. They named the land Èkó, and their contributions to the political and cultural identity of Lagos remain undeniable.
Today, Lagos is a bustling economic and cultural hub, known as the land of opportunity and prosperity. But its origins must not be forgotten. It is time to honor Ogunfunminire, the man who first sanctified this land with a divine offering. He is not just a historical figure; he is the spiritual father of Lagos.
I therefore urge the Lagos State Government to immortalize Ogunfunminire by renaming Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue as Ogunfunminire Street a lasting tribute to the true founder and first custodian of Lagos. Let history speak truth, and let the legacy of the Awori people be recognized for generations to come.
