The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been urged by the House of Assembly to direct the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture to work with the Attorney-General to rename sites named after colonial masters in order remove the remains of slave trade and colonialism.
Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Noheem Adams representing Eti-Osa constituency 01, the lawmaker who raised the motion during plenary, drew attention to the protest against the oppression of black people going on in many countries of the world which the murder of George Floyd prompted.
“This House is further aware that the demonstration brought about the pulling down of status (sic) of Edward Colston, a notable slave trader into a river in Bristol, London, while the British authorities removed from her museum status (sic) of another prominent slave master and promised a review of history pertaining to slave trade monument and sites,” Adams said.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa condemned the murder of George Floyd, adding that those who are fighting for the rights of blacks should be supported.
“We must protect the interest of our people all over the world. So many statues in London and other places are being brought down. We should change the names of some of these buildings. We cannot bring the buildings because they were once used by colonial masters,” Obasa said.
“We can change the names of some of these buildings and streets. Some of these names remind us of these people that enslaved our people.
“Those who dehumanized Africans should not be celebrated. Our people who collaborated with the colonial masters should be made to apologise to us,” the Speaker stated.
In his submission, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, representing Eti-Osa constituency II, said history that makes black people to feel inferior should be changed.
“…We need to change our psyche and history that will not make to feel as human being. We need to change the narrative that connotes superiority in our history. I want my colleagues to support this motion,” he said
- PHOTOS: After 48 Days in Hospital, Boy Labelled Witch and Abandoned is Discharged - August 8, 2021
- Travellers Complain Over Fly Infested Aminu Kano Airport - August 6, 2021
- Ondo 2020: Mimiko Criticises Akeredolu’s Performance - September 28, 2020