By Japhet Alakam

As a way of projecting the socio-political and economic well-being of the people as well as bringing them closer to governance, sons and daughters of Ejirin community in Ikosi /Ejirin LCDA of Lagos State last week gathered at the LTV hall 2, Ikeja, for one-day symposium on Ejirin Past, Present and Future Legacy. 

The symposium was organised by the anniversary committee as part of activities marking the 5th coronation of Alaiyeluwa Oba R.I. Babatunde Balogun, The Elejirin of Ejiriland

The unique occasion which recorded impressive turn-out saw eminent scholars, stakeholders, sons and daughters of Ejirin land took turns to chart a new course for their belovest country home. Paper after papers were delivered as the gathering afforded the people the rare opportunity of brainstorming on pertinent issues affecting the community.

Eminent scholars in their papers charged Nigerians to support the good efforts of the government by contributing their quota towards the development of their community, noting that  the days of casting aspersions on the government for not providing all the basic social amenities have been over.

Leading the discussion was Dr Ademola Bawaallah who was the chairman of the anniversary committee. In his opening remarks, Bawaallah went  down memory lane, recalling how Ejirin community was the centre of business activities during the good old days of their forefathers.

He said,  “one of the most important dreams of His Majesty Oba R.I.Babatunde Balogun is to remind those of us alive of one of the things our fore fathers did.”

According to him, the need to revitalize the potentials of the town informed the choice of the symposium, adding that the great endowments of Ejirin land were utilized by the people of old. He expressed worry that things are no longer the same again even with the advent of technological know-how.

Professor Akeem Danmole, HOD History and International Relations,  Lagos State University, Ojo, presented the lead paper. In his paper, he also went down memory lane, narrating how the strategic location of Ejirin made the town the main port of all commercial activities in the past. According to him, in the 19th century while Lagos was noted for its slave trade exit, Ejirin was noted for civil trading. The Europeans as a result of the town’s endowments came to Ejirin to  establish their business empires which impacted positively on economic life of the people. “So when the British came and built Apapa port in Lagos and established the railways which did not connect Ejirin the economic affairs were diverted to Lagos and other routes and business life collapsed in Ejirin.” he stressed.

He therefore posited that for Ejirin community to regain its glorious past there is imperative need for the people and their rulers to close rank with the government. Stressing further, he advised the people to develop their tourists’ sites to attract government attention.

Other eminent scholars who spoke at the event included,  Prof Abolade Adeniji of the LASU, Mr Abiola Sanmi, a lawyer and tax consultant whose paper dwelt on the essence of taxation and  Mr.Bolaji Uthman, DG of Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau  who charged emerging cities to record their history and acrchival  materials, amongst others.  

Earlier on a documentary titled Ejirin: The lost glory that x -rayed the historical facts about the community was presented to the gathering. The documentary took the people to some of the hidden facts about the community, like the fact that the first post office in Nigeria over 100years ago was built in Ejirin, the first police post in Western Nigeria , the first comprehensive school in Lagos State and that a sea port was built by the colonial masters  in 1821in Ejirin.

The initiator of the symposium His Majesty Oba R.I.Babatunde Balogun said that he decided to bring the symposium to Ikeja so that the government will be part of the debate and also to solicit for support from both the government and the private sectors for the development of his community as he can not do it alone.

It was indeed a thought provoking session as the good people of Ejirin went home determined to change the fortunes of the community.