Lagos Island

Lagos Island (Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó) is the principal and central local government area (LGA) in Lagos, it was the capital of Lagos State until 1957.[1] It is part of the Lagos Division.[2] As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian census, the LGA had a population of 209,437 in an area of 8.7 km2. The LGA only covers the western half of Lagos Island; the eastern half is simply referred to as Lagos Island East LCDA.

Lagos Island
Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó
LGA
Lagos Island skyline
Lagos Island skyline
Nickname: 
Lasgidi
Lagos Island shown within Lagos
Lagos Island shown within Lagos
Lagos Island is located in Nigeria
Lagos Island
Lagos Island
Lagos Island shown within Nigeria
Coordinates: 6°27′N 3°24′E
Country Nigeria
StateLagos State
CityLagos
Area
 • Total3.58 sq mi (9.26 km2)
Population
 (2006)
 • Total212,700
 • Density59,000/sq mi (23,000/km2)
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
postal code
101001

Overview

Lying on Lagos Lagoon, a large protected harbour on the coast of Africa, the island is home to the Yoruba fishing village of Eko, which grew into the modern city of Lagos.[3] The city has now spread out to cover the neighboring islands as well as the adjoining mainland.

Lagos Island is connected to the mainland by three large bridges (the Carter Bridge, the Eko Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge) which cross Lagos Lagoon to the district of Ebute Metta.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] It is also linked to the neighboring island of Ikoyi and to Victoria Island. The Lagos harbor district of Apapa faces the western side of the island. Forming the main commercial district of Lagos, Lagos Island plays host to the main government buildings, shops and offices.[12][13][14] The Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals, as well as the Central Mosque, are located here.[15][16]

Historically, Lagos Island (Isale Eko) was home to the Brazilian Quarter of Lagos where the majority of the slave trade returnees from Brazil stayed.[17][18][19][20] Many families lived on Broad Street in the Marina.[21][22][23]

Detailed map of Lagos Island

The poor eastern side of the island contains the main markets and the poor housing. The island is extremely crowded and congested with people and tribes. And government attempts have been made to build new roads out over the lagoon in order to improve traffic flows. It is the part of Lagos where the Oba (king) of Lagos resides.[24][25][26][27] It is also believed that the Eyo festival can only be held in this part of Lagos.[28][29]

Economy

Most Nigerian banks' head offices are located on Lagos Island.[30][31][32]First Bank of Nigeria is one of the Nigerian banks with its head office in Marina, Lagos Island.[33] Another bank that has its head office situated in Lagos Island is the United Bank for Africa (UBA).[34] Other medium and large-scale businesses such as real estate consultancy firms, electrical appliances manufacturers and retail stores are based in Marina, Lagos Island.[35][36]

Landmarks and tourist attractions

Tom Jones Memorial Hall And Library

Located on Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Idumota, formerly Victoria St, Tom Jones Memorial hall is noteworthy as the venue of the call for positive action by zikists in November 1948. The hall was built by trustees selected by Mr Thomas Jones who died in 1913, In his will, he bequeathed the land and funds for a hall and library in his memorial.[37]

Freedom Park

Freedom Park is becoming a major tourist attraction and it is located on Lagos Island. The park was formerly a prison yard, back when the country was still under colonial rule and it was known then as Her Majesty's Broad Street Prisons. Freedom park was created to serve as a national memorial in remembrance of the nation's founding fathers who struggled against colonial rule and fought for the country's independence. The park was opened in 2010 to celebrate Nigeria's 50th independence celebration. The park is now a tourist attraction to both locals and foreigners and you can actually find historical statues all over the park. There is also an amphi-theatre which holds concerts, music shows and drama presentations. You can also relax by the numerous ponds and fountains at the park or visit the Wole Soyinka Art Gallery to view unique art presentations.[38]

Marina road
Coastal Ring road in the foreground, parallel to Marina road and its Marina skyline in the background

The Lagos Marina is host to a number of office buildings, and other structures such as the Bookshop House which was formerly owned by CMS and the Cathedral Church of Christ. Due to the conditions of the soil, the foundations of most of the tall buildings are either piled or raft. Buildings along the marina include National House now occupied by Shell and it is the first tall office building at Marina. The former Central Bank headquarters and the Investment House, headquarters of Bank of Industry were both built-in 1960. The land on which the Investment House was built previously housed the Grand Hotel before it was demolished. New Africa House of UAC, Elder Dempster House, Nigerian Ports Authority head office and National Electric Power Authority's former headquarters are all located along the marina.[39]

Notable Indigene

Important places at Lagos Island
  • Aerial view of CMS, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
    Aerial view of CMS, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
  • Aerial view of Marina, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
    Aerial view of Marina, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
  • Cathedral Church CMS, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
    Cathedral Church CMS, Lagos Island East, Lagos-Nigeria
  • Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Marina, Lagos Island
    Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Marina, Lagos Island
  • Lagos Cathedral, Marina, Lagos Island
    Lagos Cathedral, Marina, Lagos Island
  • Marina Bus Stop, Lagos Island
    Marina Bus Stop, Lagos Island
  • Nigerian Ports Authority, Marina, Lagos Island
    Nigerian Ports Authority, Marina, Lagos Island
  • CMS Lagos
    CMS Lagos
  • CMS Motor Park
    CMS Motor Park
  • CMS road
    CMS road
  • CMS route to Marina, Lagos
    CMS route to Marina, Lagos
  • Civic Towers
    Civic Towers
  • Church of the Assumption, Lagos
    Church of the Assumption, Lagos
  • 1004 building, lekki road, Lagos
    1004 building, lekki road, Lagos
  • Freedom Park
    Freedom Park
  • Remembrance Arcade, Lagos Island
    Remembrance Arcade, Lagos Island

References
  1. "Lagos | City, Population, & History | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  2. "List of Local Governments in Lagos State". nigerianfinder.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. "Orimedu: Small Lagos Island where fishing unites two countries". Punch Newspapers. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  4. "FG to reopen Third Mainland Bridge midnight". Punch Newspapers. 27 December 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  5. "FG reopens Third Mainland Bridge -- after over six months of rehabilitation". TheCable. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  6. "Nigerian govt to shutdown Third Mainland Bridge, partially close Lagos-Ibadan Expressway - Premium Times Nigeria". 22 December 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  7. "Third Mainland Bridge to remain closed beyond Monday – Official - Premium Times Nigeria". 14 February 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  8. Onyeakagbu, Adaobi (13 April 2022). "These are the longest bridges in Africa (Third Mainland Bridge is one of them)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  9. "Third Mainland Bridge to be shut from July 1". Vanguard News. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  10. "Need to check all Lagos bridges". Vanguard News. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  11. "Third Mainland Bridge is safe - Works ministry". Punch Newspapers. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  12. "Lagos CBD to resume full operations on Island". Punch Newspapers. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  13. "Lagos Island bubbles again as highbrow tenants return to CBD". Vanguard News. 13 January 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  14. "Ambode Woos Investors To Lagos Island CBD". Lagos Television. Lagos News. Politics. Entertainment. Events. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  15. "Nigeria's problem not only about leadership, says deputy gov". Punch Newspapers. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  16. "By the Lagoon". Vanguard News. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  17. "Inside Brazilian Quarter where culture unites Lagosians of different religions". Punch Newspapers. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  18. "Isale Eko: Exploring The Night Life Of Lagos Island". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 3 September 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  19. "How Brazilian Architecture Redefined Lagos History And Heritage". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  20. "On Lagos Island, cuisines, cultures, Fuji music mix well". Tribune Online. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  21. "Nigeria still best country to live, we just need serious leader –94-year-old Mrs Arthur-Worrey". Punch Newspapers. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  22. "Smart City Project: Lagos embarks on CMS Marina road rehab, calls for caution". Vanguard News. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  23. Nigeria, News Agency Of (3 February 2022). "Lagos govt to divert traffic for Shonekan's burial on Friday". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  24. akinloye, dimeji (2 May 2017). "Oba of Lagos' palace gutted by fire (VIDEO)". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  25. "#EndSARS: Protesters stole $2m, N17m from my palace ― Oba Akiolu". Tribune Online. 3 March 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  26. "#EndSARS: Lagos princes, princesses react to attack on Oba of Lagos palace - Premium Times Nigeria". 22 October 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  27. "Fire guts Oba of Lagos' palace". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  28. "What transpired when Tinubu visited Oba Rilwan Akiolu (Photos) - P.M. News". Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  29. "Eyo festival: History and features". Vanguard News. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  30. None (11 September 2019). "In Lagos, all roads lead to the Island". www.stearsng.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  31. "Ecobank Pan African Centre, EPAC, opens in Lagos". Vanguard News. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  32. "Access Bank: 20 years after". Vanguard News. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  33. "Contact". FirstBank Nigeria. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  34. "UBA promises improved customer relationship". Punch Newspapers. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  35. "NIESV calls for redevelopment of Lagos Island". Punch Newspapers. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  36. "Why Lagos remains Africa's best investment destination - Businessday NG". businessday.ng. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  37. "Judicial Committee of the Privy Council". Western Weekly Reports. Burroughs. 1920.
  38. "Freedom Park Lagos". Archived from the original on 2 June 2011.
  39. Akinsemoyin, ʼKunle (1977). Building Lagos. F. & A. Services: Pengrail Ltd., Jersey. OCLC 26014518.

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6°27′N 3°24′E

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