LAGOS—A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, has canvassed for a special status to be accorded to Lagos, owing to its importance and uniqueness in the history of Nigeria.

Shasore made this call in Lagos, during a media briefing ahead of the public presentation and launch of his new book; POSSESSED: A History of Law and Justice in the Crown Colony of Lagos: 1861 – 1906.

Arguing that Lagos played, and still plays a very significant and unique role in the evolution of Nigeria, the former commissioner said ‘’The recognition to be given Lagos is because of its uniqueness, which it doesn’t share with any part of Nigeria. It is the truth that there had to be a colony in Lagos before there could be a colony in Nigeria.’’

He noted that it is very important to emphasise the outstanding and special status of Lagos in order to put into proper context ‘’Where we are coming from, where we are now and where we are going,’’ adding that history puts human experience in context and allows us understand ourselves as a people and culture; and helps people understand past triumphs and tragedies, so as to fashion out a way to succeed where others have failed.’’

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in his bid to outline the uniqueness of Lagos, pointed out that, during the colonial era, ‘’There were people from all walks of life, from all parts of the West Coast of Africa, living in the colony of Lagos, who proudly referred to themselves as Lagos-Africans, which forged a great sense of unity and communion and de-emphasised ethnicity into a much larger picture, thereby giving them the force to survive, and ultimately defeat colonialism.’’

According to him, one of the reasons he wrote the book is to highlight the true strength and position of the former federal capital in the history of Nigeria, and also to use it galvanise people to recognise, and emulate the gift that Lagos will always offer to the existence of the country.

Explaining why he wrote the book, which foreword was written by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, from a legal perspective, the former commissioner said ‘’I have chosen law and justice for obvious reasons; largely to do with my principal vocation as a lawyer. I am privileged to be able to write on history and law, subjects for which I have considerable curiosity and passion; but which is by no means intended to be a comprehensive history of Lagos.

‘’It is merely an account through records of the interplay between pride and prejudice, power, liberty and the struggle for the independent development of Lagos.’’

When asked what readers should expect in the book, Shasore stated ‘’In this book, I have tried to employ narrative history for several reasons, not the least being the desire to tell the story from recorded fact, to avoid interpretative ambiguity.’’

He added, however, that he expects a flurry of critical responses, analysis, counter-claims and outright rejection from interested parties, and readers.
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I certainly Agree. Lagos is a no mans Land and a Minister should be appointed instead of Governor just like Abuja. Lagos is the business capital of Nigeria and should be seen as that.

Una wan start wetin una no fit finish again abi?... contunu!

REMMEI:
Una wan start wetin una no fit finish again abi?... contunu!

That's your brothers candid opinion

Special status is the same as entitlement or should I say welfare.
These slowpokes seem not to get the message.
Begging for your own money?
Lagos must get derivation on all the income derived from her shores.

oduastates:
Special status is the same as entitlement or should I say welfare.
These slowpokes seem not to get the message.
B going for your own money?
Lagos must get derivation on all the income derived from her shores.

minister should be appointed for Lagos state. it has the same status as Abuja

Then Enugu should be given the same.

Balkan:


I certainly Agree. Lagos is a no mans Land and a Minister should be appointed instead of Governor just like Abuja. Lagos is the business capital of Nigeria and should be seen as that.

Energito:
Then Enugu should be given the same.

Enugu was never a capital of Nigeria. so leave Enugu out of this









n

Balkan:
Enugu was never a capital of Nigeria. so leave Enugu out of this









n

taa then forget about lagos

Energito:
taa then forget about lagos

it is not a bad Idea. Lagos was built with the federal money.
so to be fair to all stake holders what we need is a minister not governor

Yes

Unna don start unna walaha again.

These people and Lagos State shaaaa

Why the fixation nah?

Since when did special status equate to no man's land? Instead of them to look for ways to build their region, they are busy coveting another man's. So stupidd

Segeggs:
Since when did special status equate to no man's land? Instead of them to look for ways to build their region, they are busy coveting another man's. So stupidd

its your brother SAN that brought the idea, and i think its commendable. Lagos state have suffered enough. The FG should upgrade the status as federal territory like Abuja

Balkan:
its your brother SAN that brought the idea, and i think its commendable. Lagos state have suffered enough. The FG should upgrade the status as federal territory like Abuja

so in your own language, special status equals to no man's land? So abuja being FCT is also no man's land. Ndigbo and dream land

If Lagos is declared as part of federal territory all the roads and
amenities will be federal standard. lets advocate for Lagos as Federal territory.
its good for Lagosians

Segeggs:
so in your own language, special status equals to no man's land? So abuja being FCT is also no man's land. Ndigbo and dream land

Abuja is No Man's Land. no body can claim ownership because its a neutral ground. lets face the fact.