Lagos Island (Ìsàlẹ̀ Èkó) is the principal and central
Local Government Area (LGA) in
Lagos, Nigeria, it was the capital of
Lagos State until 1957.[2] It is part of the Lagos Division.[3] 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.
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.[4] 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.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] 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.[13][14][15] The Catholic and Anglican
Cathedrals, as well as the Central Mosque, are located here.[16][17]
Historically, Lagos Island (Isale Eko) was home to the Brazilian Quarter of Lagos where the majority of the slave trade returnees from
Brazil stayed.[18][19][20][21] Many families lived on
Broad Street in the Marina.[22][23][24]
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.[25][26][27][28] It is also believed that the
Eyo festival can only be held in this part of Lagos.[29][30]
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.[38]
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.[39]
Marina road
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.[40]
^"Fire guts Oba of Lagos' palace". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 3 May 2017.
Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.