Lagos Town Council

The Lagos Town Council was a local government body founded in 1917. At inception, it primarily dealt with municipal health and sanitary issues and the implementation of a water tenement rate. In 1950, a new local government law created a mayoral council that was composed of 24 elected councilors, this system lasted until 1953. In 1963, the town council became known as the Lagos City Council.

History

The Lagos Town Council came into existence after the passage of a 1917 township ordinance designating parts of Lagos Island, Iddo, Apapa, and Ebute Metta as Lagos township to be administered by a town council.[1][2] Upon introduction, the council took over the activities of a general sanitary and municipal health board, and was charged to regulate and issue licenses concerning public markets, liquor sales, and motor vehicles, in addition, the issuance of a water tenement rate, and animal control regulations came under the purview of the new council.[3] At inception, the council had nominated members until 1919, when structural changes paved the way for the election of three members, each representing their respective wards, while other members were appointed by the governor. In 1923,[1] the Nigerian National Democratic Party was formed in part to present candidates every five years to the Legislative Council and every three years to the Lagos Town Council. In 1941, administrative changes gave the council the ability to levy taxes. [1]

Mayoral system (1950 - 1953)

Structural reforms were made in 1950 following the enactment of the Lagos Local Government Ordinance 17, the reforms included the creation of an all elected membership and the introduction of the position of Mayor of Lagos. The new law made provision for 24 elected members voted by men and woman ages 21 and over.[4] Between 1950 and 1952, the council was majority led by the 'Demo' party, also known as the Nigerian National Democratic Party, a wing of NCNC, the party selected Ibiyinka Olorunimbe as Lagos' first mayor and Mbonu Ojike as Deputy Mayor.[1][4] However, the political atmosphere was tense, there was the issue of an appropriate salary for the Mayor and when the Mcpherson constitution placed parts of Lagos under the purview of the Western regional government, then majority led by the Action Group, a regional law was enacted stating that major appointment decisions made by the council were needed to be ratified by the Lieutenant Governor. [4] However, the council did meets many of its legal obligations, also supported urban renewal plans including the development of estates in Surulere, slum clearance on Lagos Island and a proposal for a free education program at Oke Suna.[4][5]

In 1953, the position of Mayor was abolished and opportunity was given to the traditional institution in Lagos to be represented in the council. The Oba of Lagos, was made council president[1]

1954-1963

In 1954, the Action Group had majority members in the council and dominated the council until it was renamed the Lagos City Council.[6][7]

References
  1. Adelaja, A. O. (1988). Local Government and Structural Reorganization in Lagos State, Nigeria 1969-1979 (Thesis thesis). University of Lagos.
  2. Burns, A. C.; Nigeria. Chief Secretary's Office (1919). The Nigeria handbook containing statistical and general information respecting the colony and protectorate. Government Printer. doi:10.5479/sil.600242.39088009208208.
  3. Nigeria (1923). The Laws of Nigeria, Containing the Ordinances of Nigeria, in Force on the 1st Day of January, 1923, and the Orders, Proclamations, Rules, Regulations and Bye-laws Made Thereunder, in Force on the 1st Day of May, 1923, and the Principal Imperial Statutes, Orders in Council, Letters Patent and Royal Instructions Relating to Nigeria. Government Printer.
  4. Nigerian cities. Toyin Falola, Steven J. Salm. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press. 2004. pp. 256–267. ISBN 1-59221-168-2. OCLC 52720688.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. Capital cities in Africa : power and powerlessness. S. B. Bekker, Göran Therborn, Codesria. Cape Town, South Africa: HSRC Press. 2012. ISBN 978-0-7969-2350-9. OCLC 741342132.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. Reichmuth, Stefan (1996). "Education and the Growth of Religious Associations Among Yoruba Muslims—the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria'". Journal of Religion in Africa. 26 (4): 365–405. doi:10.1163/157006696X00172. ISSN 0022-4200.
  7. "Supplementto Official Gazette Extraordinary No.77, Vol. 50" (PDF). September 1963.
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