Lagosians and lovers of history have been assured of another memorable event at the 2024 Eshinlokun Day, which usually comes up every December 26, in commemoration of the late Oba Eshinlokun of Lagos whose two sons also became Obas after his reign.
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Guests will have the opportunity of seeing the over 600 correspondences of Oba Morohunfolu Kosoko, the legendary Oba and Oloja of Lagos, at an exhibition planned to be staged at the Eshinlokun Day Celebration organised by the King Kosoko Royal Family.
Late Oba Idewu and Kosoko were the two Princes of Oba Eshinlokun that were also crowned as Obas of Lagos.Through the exhibition is titled: “The Bombardment of Lagos,” members of the public will have the opportunity of seeing and knowing what transpired before, during and after the bombardment.
The Oloja – elect of Lagos, Prince Abiola Kosoko, made the revelation during the recently concluded “The Return 1862”, after the lightening of the arrival light, which was part of the 2024 commemoration of the 162nd anniversary of the return of Oba Kosoko and his people to Lagos, after the British bombardment.
The Oloja – elect said the letters, which were written in 1848 and 1845, proved that King Kosoko had been in relationship with Portuguese long before.
“These are some of the letters found in the palace when Lagos was burnt about 172 years ago. These are descendants of King Kosoko, who are going to read the letters.
“These letters described Kosoko’s business dealings with the Portuguese long before the British came to Lagos. Kosoko had been writing letters to the Portuguese.
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“It wasn’t the British that taught people of Lagos about letter writing and business communication. Lagos had it before any part of Nigeria starts communicating with the outside world. Lagos had dealings with the outside world.
“Kosoko was actively involved and he had been doing that before 1818. His writings to his business partners are available with us.
“We have over 700 letters (of late king Kosoko), but we are going to be reading just three for the purpose of tonight’s event. You can pay a visit to the palace if you want to read other letters at the museum.”
While explaining one of the letters which a Portuguese wrote to King Kosoko, explaining that he was unable to send certain amount of money due to him after the sales of 12 ‘bails’, Prince Kosoko said that the correspondents referred to ‘bails’ as humans.
The Oloja – elect, on behalf of the royal family, however, apologised for the involvement of their ancestor in the trading in humans during the period of slave trade….”
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