Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has attributed Lagos State’s development and progress to its ability to accommodate people of different cultures, tribes and religion.
Speaking at the Lagos History Lecture entitled “Lagos: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the State, Ambode said the state was being rated as the fifth largest economy in Africa because the people of the state had distinguished themselves in making others feel home away from home.
According to Ambode, ”This lecture is an opportunity to have an introspection into the past, engage in an objective appraisal of the present, and a realistic prognosis of the future of another fifty years.
”We have assembled knowledgeable royal fathers, elder statesmen, jurists of distinction and Lagos indigenes of repute to trace the history of the state and proffer insights as to the areas to concentrate on for the future.
”It is important for us to refresh our memory about the beginning; the journey of how the Aworis played an important role in the evolution of what we call Lagos today.
”The same applies to the evolution of the Eko Royalty with the coming of the Bini from present day Edo State and even the momentous role played by the Tappa in the making of our dear State.
”Our greatness, progress and development is in our ability to be the melting pot for all cultures, and as at today, there is no tribe in Nigeria that is not represented in Lagos.
”From the Hausa/Fulani to the Igbo to the Kanuri to the Ibibio, the Nupe, the Berom, the Igala and others. All have spaces to live and live well in our dear State.
”Lagos is not just national in outlook, it is international. The Americans, the British, South Africans are in their thousands; the Chinese are not in short supply; and the Indians even have a community in Lagos. ”
