April 16th, 2010 by Raman
Lagos, although surrounded by never ending controversies, is the love of all Nigerians. People from all over Nigeria keep on moving to Lagos to find better living and earning. It has maintained a status, not only because of its administrative importance but also due to its cosmopolitan nature. The city has innumerable tourist attractions and scenic sites. It is filed with entertainment venues, world class hotels, restaurants and excellent shopping arcades. This makes it one of those Nigerian cities, due to which cheap flights to Nigeria are widely offered by tour operators and airlines world over. Knowing of the controversies, one realizes how amazing the city of Lagos is. This compels travelers to pay a visit to Lagos.
They city remained Nigerian capital until 1992 when the capital was shifted to Abuja, in the center of the country. On one hand, the people of Lagos have not been able to digest the fact that it is no longer the capital of Nigeria while on the other hand; many Nigerian groups are fighting over its possession.
Lagosians believe that Abuja is an unattractive city, not having the qualities of being a capital city. They go no to argue that Abuja has an artificial look which makes it look lifeless and it can never become as attractive as Lagos. Also, according to the people of Lagos, the reign of Abuja is one of the reasons of the downfalls that Nigeria ever had. They believe that during the reign of Lagos, Nigeria had better prospered and been administered. Lagos, according to its locals, provides better living, health and educational facilities due to which even the ministers working in Abuja prefer living in Lagos. They have just every argument to prove that Lagos is the only city capable of being the Nigerian capital. While one the other hand, the strong hold at Abuja is not affected and Abuja still has powers as the capital.
The beauty and importance of the city of Lagos has not even let anyone to decide that which Nigerian group are the real natives of the land. The Edo ethnicity believes that Lagos was used as a fortification by Benin forces. Yoruba ethnicity, partly agreeing with Edo, believes that Benin had no significant role over the city and the city was used as a farm by their ancestors. The Hausa ethnicity has nothing to do with Yoruba or Edo beliefs. They argue that they are the oldest of all settlers on the land and they simply have all rights on Lagos. According to Ijwas and Urhobo ethnicities, Ajegunle, a part of the land, totally belongs to them. However, the most authentic of all possession stories show that a part of Lagos belongs to the Igbo race and the rest of the land belongs to no one. It tells that the Igbo race settled on the land earlier than the history has been written. The Issale-Eko just would not listen to this story even to correct the wrong information.
Leaving aside politics and controversies, it is clear that Lagos is a place for all, being the only Nigerian state to have a non-native governor. It is truly a cosmopolitan city with abundance of tourist attractions and opportunities for better life. The endless beauty of scenic Lagos must have been clear to all readers by now. So pack your bags and grab cheap flights to Lagos for a wondrous vacation.