Ibrahim B Jinadu@IB_Jinadu
Are you an indigene of Lagos State?
Here is a brief history of the past and present Obas of Lagos:
The Lagos Dynasty Since 1600.
ASHIPA (1600-1630)
Ashipa was regarded as the founder of dynasty of Lagos. He was the son Oba of Benin. He was acting as the leader of the people of Lagos but not as the king. He serves as the intermediary between the Oba of Benin and the people of Lagos (eko), he spent 27 years as the leader of Eko and died in 1630 and his son Ado took over his responsibility.
OBA ADO (1630-1669)
Oba ado, the son of ashipa took over the leadership role played by his father in 1630 during his own reign, he was elevated to an Oba and was crowned as the king of Lagos by the Oba of Benin. Oba ado became the first Oba of Lagos. Oba ado had three children,2 males and 1 female. They include (Gabaro, Akinsemoyin, and Erelu Kuti).Oba ado ruled for 39years. He joined his ancestor in 1669 and his first son Gabaro succeeded him.
OBA GABARO (1669-1704)
Oba Gabaro was installed in 1669 after his father death. During his reign, he moved the government to the island in particular isale eko where the present iga Idungran is today. he was the first Oba to erect a building in the palace, and he also created the institution of chieftaincy and kingmakers. he had only one child during his lifetime called Eletu Kekere. Oba Gabaro died in 1904 and his brother Akinsemoyin succeeded him.
OBA AKINSEMOYIN (1704-1749)
Oba Akinsemoyin started in their own reign in 1704, it was during his reign that the Portuguese came to Lagos as slave dealers. It was in records that the palace “iga idungran” was built during this period
with the assistance of the Portuguese. Oba Akinsemoyin never had a son but he had six female children, he reigned for 45 years and died in 1749.
OBA ELETU-KEKERE (1749)
Oba Eletu kekere succeeded Oba akinsemoyin(his uncle).Oba Eletu Kekere was the only son of Oba Gabaro, during his reign, he had no child and died within the year he was installed as the Oba. therefore ending the lineage of Oba gabaro. After his death, there was controversy on who to succeed to the throne, because Oba akinsemoyin had no son. Erelu kuti the sister of akinsemoyin is
also a female and it is not possible for a female to succeed the throne.The only option was to choose the son of Erelu kuti to succeed the throne. Erelu kuti has two son’s (Ologun-kutere & sokun).The
eldest son Ologun-kutere was chosen to succeed the throne.
OBA OLOGUN-KUTERE(1749-1775)
Oba Ologun Kutere ascended the throne in 1949 after the death of his cousin Eletu Kekere. Oba Ologun Kutere was a strong king, he won the respect of neighboring Oba by the way he handled a threatening rebellion against paying tributes. He had 6 children “Eshinlokun, Adele, Akitoye, Olusi, Akiolu, and Olukoya”.he joined his ancestors in 1775 and was succeeded by his son ADELE
AJOSUN(his son)
OBA ADELE AJOSUN(1775-1780&1834)
In 1775, when Oba Adele Ajosun succeeded his father, Lagos entered a period where the Oba had to
concern themselves with consolidating their position on the throne , his reign was rich with intrigues and counter-intrigues between him and his brother ESHILOKUN. Oba Adele Ajosun was an indulgent
father who allowed his children to introduce “EGUNGUN” to the palace. This led to his dethronement and he was banished in 1780 but was reinstated in 1852 after his brothers(ESHILOKUN, IDEWU OJULARI had reigned. He died in 1834
OBA ESHILOKUN(1780-1819)
Oba Eshilokun came to the throne in 1780 following the dethronement of Oba Adele ajosun, though his reign was uneventful, he successfully resisted the attempt by Adele to out him from the throne. He kept the throne till 1819 when he eventually joined his ancestors. He had 2children(Idewu Ojulari and Kosoko)