The renovation of Tinubu Square in the Lagos Central Business District (CBD) on Broad Street, has brought colour to the place. The aim, according to the government, is to preserve cultural and historical sites, and turn the Marina and Onikan axis into a world-class tourism hub, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
Until recently, it was home to untidy lawns, flowers and dried fountains. It was also an abode for beggars, hawkers, roadside traders and motorists, including commercial cyclists. But not any more.
Today, the famous Tinubu Square is tourist- friendly and houses a functional fountain, remodelled and painted with statues of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the legendary Kokoro the blind drummer, Wings of Liberty and Knowledge is Power. It has been lifted from squalor to grace with a 24-hour power supply, security and functioning conveniences.
This development is a fall-out of Lagos State Government’s decision to embark on strategic investment by building more iconic monuments and renovating historical sites across the state.
Of all the tourist sites in the state, Tinubu Square has an enviable record of being one of the most-visited by Lagosians and tourists, no thanks to its location at the heart of Lagos Central Business District. Historically, Tinubu Square sits on a 2000-square metre piece of land believed to have been donated to the British by Madam Tinubu, a wealthy business woman and an activist. The structure that was built on the land was the Court of Assizes, a landmark of a magnificent construction edifice. The Court of Assizes was demolished to pave way for the construction of a tourist water fountain donated by the Lebanese Community in Nigeria to commemorate Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960.
According to a report, ‘Madam Tinubu, the first Nigerian woman to buy a car, was a courageous human rights activist, outspoken, fearless, a strong woman and warrior from Egbaland in Abeokuta, Ogun State. She’d also fought for the Egba people to gain their freedom. In recognition of her bravery, she was honoured with the chieftaincy title of Iyalode of Egbaland.
She was among those who helped Oba Ibikunle Akintoye to get to the throne as Oba of Lagos. She fought against Dahomey, when they were tormenting the Egba; later she left Lagos in 1856 during the reign of Dosunmu. She died in 1887 and was given a befitting burial by the Egba. After her death, the place was named after her, because in 1807, when the British prohibited slave trade, she and some Nigerians immensely contributed to ensure that the law against the inhuman practice was successfully carried out because Lagos was a stopping point along the slave coast.
Expectedly, the square, among others, houses a very conspicuous cenotaph in memory of Madam Tinubu the irrepressible opponent of slave trade and British colonial government. The cenotaph was dedicated by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration (1999 to 2007) to inspire millions of women to acts of heroism and sacrifice for the common good.
But what makes today’s Tinubu Square a much-sought-after site by fun seekers and tourists? Is it the history behind the square or the size and location of the facility? Everything about the square certainly adds up. Apart from the facelift given to the facilities in the square, a 24-hour security is maintained by security officials who stationed their patrol vehicles near the square. Movements in and around the square have become orderly and safe as there are no more street hawkers and traders. Also, steady power supply is another big asset and attraction for visitors to the place at night. In fact, the square is enhanced by a well-lit environment beautified with trees and flowers, and its landscape laced with strong paved blocks.
According to a staff member of Kenny Adamson International, the company maintaining the square, Tayo Owolabi, people visit Tinubu Square mostly at evenings and night when the illumination from the power supply lights up the environment.
“The light is one of the major attractions because of the colourful illumination at night. At such a time, commercial activities in the area are on the low side, and safety and comfort are assured,” he said, noting that the neighbouring corporate offices and shops are reaping from the sanity at the square.
A soothing cold breeze from the rising and tumbling water in the beautifully-designed Zebra fountain greets every guest to the square. Hemmed by newly painted iron bars, the walkways provide easier access for visitors to move round the various statues within the square.
And as the reporter walked round the square, some men came in with materials to treat the water fountain which was turning green. Since it was renovated last January, Tinubu Square, like the city of Lagos, never sleeps. Its three main entrances are always open to visitors who stream in day and night to enjoy its soothing ambience.
At the unveiling of the square last month, Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode reiterated his administration’s vision to use art, culture, entertainment and hospitality to promote the state as the hub of creative arts and tourism in Africa. Represented by the Special Adviser and Acting Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinshola, the governor said the decision to renovate Tinubu Square was informed by the need to upgrade it to a level that befits the status of the CBD. He said the development was also part of the administration’s plan to develop the Marina and Onikan axis to world- class tourism destination.
He said: “All over the world, monuments are erected as a way of preserving human history and upholding societal values and ethics. They are testament of selfless leadership, valour and bravery of great men and women who have contributed significantly to the development of mankind.”
He described Madam Tinubu’s statue as a magnificent monument erected in memory of a woman, who was one of the greatest merchants of colonial Lagos. Continuing, he said: “As we all know, this magnificent monument was erected in memory of a valiant woman, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the first Iyalode of Egbaland and one of the greatest merchants of colonial Lagos. It is a celebration of her exploits in the business world and contribution to the foremost status to which our state has attained in the world of commerce and for us as a government and in line with our administration’s commitment to harness the tourism potentials of our state, historical monuments such as this will continue to be given a face lift and outlook.”
Ambode, who called for the cooperation of the residents in protecting the site against vandalism and distortion of its historical and tourism value, said it was the collective responsibility of all to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state for the present generation and generations yet unborn.
According to him, the state government would continue to use artistic facilities, such as the Tinubu Square and others being constructed across the state, to showcase its positive attractions and create a must-visit appetite in domestic and foreign tourists.
The unveiling was attended by the Special Adviser to the Governor on CBDs, Agboola Dabiri, the Sole Administrator, Lagos Island East Council Development Area, Abiola Are, and his Lagos Island Local Government counterpart, Nasir Musa, among others.
The joy of most business owners in the neighbouring streets, such as Custom, Broad, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ali knew no bound. Expressing the minds of many is a 65-year-old textile merchant, Mr. Chuks Tony Ike, who owns a major store at Tinubu. He described the renovation as a new dawn. He said it had transformed the district from a rowdy and chaotic place to a saner business environment. This, he said, has enhanced commercial activities, which in turn has affected their returns positively. He said: “In the years I have spent operating my textile business here in Tinubu, the sanity and order currently experienced here are next to none. Apart from the fact that it is now more secured than before, the power supply has added colour and glamour to the street especially at night. Again, such lighting attracts friends and peers to relax at the square when many homes are without light.”
The youths are, however, not left out in the increasing army of patrons. A female undergraduate and resident of Lagos Island, who identified as Nifemi, disclosed that the new-look square has drawn most of her friends to the place for taking selfie photographs in the evening. “For us, Tinubu Square is our own Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. It is fast becoming the face of Lagos Island in tourism affairs,” she said.
Tinubu’s life and times
Madam Efunroye Tinubu (1810-1887), born Efunporoye Osuntinubu, was a politically-significant figure in Nigerian history because of her role as a notable female aristocrat in pre-colonial and colonial Nigeria. She was a major figure in Lagos during the reigns of Obas Adele, Oluwole, Akintoye and Dosunmu.
Tinubu was born in the Ojokodo forest area of Egbaland, her father’s name was Olumosa. She was allegedly of Owu ancestry either through her maternal or paternal side. Madam Tinubu reportedly married multiple times. Her first marriage to an Owu man bore two sons. After her Owu husband died, she remarried the exiled Oba Adele in 1833, who, while visiting Abeokuta, was charmed by Tinubu. She moved with the exiled Oba to Badagry, which was traditionally the place of refuge for Lagos monarchs and that was where she exploited Adele’s connections to build a formidable business trading in tobacco, salt and slaves.
Lagos
The exiled Oba Adele was still in Badagry when his successor, Oba Idewu died. Prince Kosoko, Idewu Ojulari’s brother, was a major contender for the throne; however, Eletu Odibo, the chief kingmaker thwarted Kosoko’s aspiration and Adele was invited to become oba. Tinubu accompanied Adele to Lagos but the oba died two years later. After Adele’s death in 1837, Tinubu reportedly supported Oluwole, Adele’s son’s bid for the Obaship of Lagos over that of Kosoko.
Oba Oluwole had recurring conflicts with Kosoko, who felt he was the true heir to the throne. Consequently, Kosoko was banished to Ouidah. During Oluwole’s reign, Madam Tinubu remarried one Yesufu Bada (alias Obadina), who was Oluwole’s war captain and with the support of Oluwole, Tinubu and Yesufu’s trading with the Egba grew.
When Oluwole died in 1841, Tinubu supported Akitoye her brother-in-law’s bid for the obaship over Kosoko’s. After Akitoye emerged oba, he granted Tinubu favourable commercial concessions. Against the wish of his chiefs, Akitoye invited Kosoko back to Lagos and tried to placate him. Soon thereafter, Kosoko dislodged Akitoye from the throne. Considering Tinubu’s alliance with Akitoye, she and other Akitoye supporters fled to Badagry when Kosoko became oba in 1845. As a wealthy woman, Madam Tinubu was able to influence economic and political decisions so during her time in Badagry, she tried to rally Akitoye’s supporters to wage war against Kosoko.
In December 1851, and under the pretext of abolishing slavery, the British bombarded Lagos, dislodged Kosoko, and installed a more amenable Akitoye as oba. Though Akitoye signed a treaty with Britain outlawing the slave trade, Tinubu subverted the 1852 treaty and secretly traded slaves for guns with Brazilians and Portuguese traders. Further, she obtained a piece of land from Akitoye, which now constitutes parts of present day Tinubu Square and Kakawa Street. Later, a conflict developed between Tinubu and some slave traders, including Possu, a Kosoko loyalist. Consequently, Possu, Ajenia, and other traders tried to instigate an uprising against Akitoye because of Tinubu’s influence in Lagos. In the interest of peace, Benjamin Campbell, the British Consul in Lagos, asked Akitoye to send Tinubu on exile. After Akitoye died, Tinubu returned to Lagos and gave her support to his successor, Dosunmu. Under Dosunmu’s reign Tinubu had a massive security force composed of slaves and she sometimes executed orders usually given by the king. As a result, Dosunmu grew wary of her influence in Lagos.
A new development was the colonial government’s support for the return of repatriated captives (mostly of Yoruba heritage) to settle in Lagos. Many of the returnees were favoured by the British in commerce and soon began dominating legitimate trade in Lagos.
In 1855, when Campbell travelled to England Tinubu tried to influence Dosunmu to limit the influence of returnees. Dosunmu was non-committal to her request and, consequently, Tinubu was alleged to have played a part in an uprising against the returnees in which her husband, Bada, was a major participant. When Campbell returned in 1856, he asked Dosunmu to banish Tinubu. In May 1856, Tinubu was banished to Abeokuta.
In Abeokuta, Tinubu traded in arms and supplied Abeokuta with munitions in the war against Dahomey. Her activities in the war earned her the Iyalode of the Egba. While in Abeokuta, she allegedly opposed colonial policies in Lagos. In 1865, a fire that engulfed the shops of some traders, including some of her properties in Abeokuta, however, didn’t appear to have weakened her financially. Tinubu became involved in Abeokuta king-making as well as supporting Prince Oyekan over Ademola for the Alake of Egba title in 1879.
Next Challenge
Now that the square has been renovated, the next critical issue to address is its maintenance. The Lagos State government should, as a matter of urgency, hand over its maintenance to a firm or agency to prevent another neglect.
Also, to drive tourists to the site and generate revenue, the government can tie the historical relevance of the square to a marketing strategy such that it will attract local and foreign tourists. The government should pilot such marketing strategies to woo private sectors. To enhance easy access to the facility, public car parks should be identified and designated for use, especially when the Onikan-Marina axis is being designated as a world-class tourism hub in the state.
