A global demographic shift over the years has created the present situation where half of humanity live in urban centres. Cities have been the engines of growth, the homes of prosperity for the realisation of ambitions and aspirations.
Lagos has grown from a small fishing community to a sprawling Megacity. It occupies about one percent of the land area of the country but its current population,within the continuous built up area of the metropolis, is 15 per cent of 140 million (2011 census figure).
The city has historical significance as the preferred settlement for trade. It was annexed as a Biritish Colony in 1861, served as the administrative capital of the Southern Protectorates. At independence in 1960 it remained the federal capital of Nigeria.
Lagos has exceptional characteristics, dignity and impressiveness. Its heterogeneous composition, international style and natural endowment with its beaches, waterways and ports makes it the city of enterprise. Harold Bindloss in 1898 giving his first impression of the city stated , “it was a sweltering morning when we anchored in the wind swept Lagos roads, and in spite of claims of its rival Sierra-Leone, Lagos is by far the most important town in West Africa. Glancing shore wards you see the inevitable line of yellow beach, but no forest behind it, and the slender shaft of a lighthouse rising above the tumbling surf. Beyond lies a wide lagoon, and upon a low island there in stands what is a really handsome town and not the conglomeration of galvanized sheds and mud huts which forms many West Africa settlements. Here are fine stores, we built houses, banks, mission schools and government buildings all imposing in their own way”.
The history of Lagos is relevant to the history of Nigeria and West Africa. Therefore the presentation of the book Sandbank City today as an in depth study of the founding and growth of the city is important, necessary and timely as we prepare to celebrate the cententary anniversary of the amalgamation. It all started in Lagos the birth place of nationalism.
The authors Prof. John Godwin and Gillian Hopwood, Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, have authority to write about creation of Lagos by virtue of their qualification, experience, reputation, involvement and professionalism. Their passion for tropical architecture brought them to Lagos in 1954 and kept them here to date. They have been in practice for fifty nine years,built capacity of young minds lecturing at University of Lagos architecture department.
Their longstanding commitment to the development and preservation of Lagos manifests in LEGACY an NGO they founded in 1995, and their social interaction in various indigenous and international clubs. Both of them are well adjusted Nigerians from Lagos state. The influence of their work transcends the shores of this country and have received various awards in recognition for their contribution to humanity.
Half way into their stay in Lagos in 1984 they started writing this book Their collboration with two reputable Nigerians both late, historian Prince Kunle Akinsemoyin and Engr Tim Aluko the former Town Engineer of Lagos municipality, enhanced the focused combination of history and infrastructure development. Previous books authored by the authors of Sandbank City are – ‘Sailing in .
“In all the time I have known Prof Godwin OBE, OFR, he has always had a quiet passion for history and development of the State he now calls home. This passion prevails Laos 1932- 1982′ and ‘Comprehensive history of Lagos Yatch Club 2007’
“In all the time I have known Prof Godwin OBE, OFR, he has always had a quiet passion for history and development of the State he now calls home. The passion prevails on every page of Sandbank City. He has been endowed with the talent of recounting past events through the detailed eyes of the architect and the patience of a fisherman. It is interesting to read how his journey in 1954 began in relation to the journey Lagos has gone through from 1861 to 2011. He is a true Nigerian, fully dedicated to his State, Lagos State and country.” This statement by Disun Holloway, Honourable Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Lagos state is a testimony of their competence to write the book, ‘Sandbank City’.
The authors’ stated in their notes the purpose of writing book and I quote “Sand bank City aims to be a story of how the city evolved, its infrastructure developed and its construction implemented. It is also a story of the city’s architectural styles, some of the professionals involved in building it and the crucial part played by the City Council and its Engineering department”
Sources listed in the bibliography shows extensive research and literature review of broad selection of books, magazines, maps, drawings, photographs, newspapers articles and publications. The photographs which were softly taken by the authors help simplify the narrative and explanation. My first reading of the book particularly the first four parts remind me of stories I was told by my father in Lokoja. Prof. Akin .I. Mabogunje described the writing style used by uncle John and Aunty Gillian in these words, “The book Sandbank City is peculiar in style and organisation. It is written in an avuncular style evoking the image of an uncle going through series of photographs of the past of the city and commenting copiously on each photograph to an excitedly precocious youngster”.
The subject of the book was well covered in the content and arranged in the format that is easy to follow as stated in the foreword, “the book has no chapters but parts. It is divided into ten parts. The first six parts take us through from when Lagos was no more than the hide-out for slavers until it became a crown colony in 1861 and the capital of colonial Nigeria. It provides us not only with the names and information on some of the critical personalities that shaped events in the city during the ensuing century until 1960, their views of transformation in the emerging settlement but also some of their impact on the physical developments of the city.”
The main points revolve around first slave trade abolition and migration of freed slaves into Lagos, choice of the city as the preferred hub for alternative trade, and the colonial acquisition of the city as a British Colony. 1861. Trade brought together the British, the Portuguese, Brazillians, Cubans, Italians, French, Germans and West Africans. Commerce brought these groups to West Africa and still does. Many more nationalities Chinese, Indians Lebanese Japanese and Amerians keep coming in response to the government’s drive for foreign investors. Edmund Morel member of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce in 1902 bluntly stated “ What are we in West Africa for? What do we hope to do there? What object took us there? What main purpose keeps us there? The answer is not for a moment in doubt. Commerce took us West Africa: commerce will keep us in West Africa.”
Secondly increased trade resulted in rapid population growth of the city but infrastructure development did not keep pace with the population . Inadequate planning and a repeated fire- fighting approach made the city a victim of its own success. 150 years after, the piece meal approach is still largely in operation.
The third point raised in the book is that buildings prior to the boom in population and enterprise were mostly single storey structures. Since new buildings were required, new techniques for designs, materials and construction were adopted from the colonial professionals and Brazillian craftsmen. The role of the Town Engineer to set standards for development control is well elaborated and detailed.
The unifying element of the book is the importance of Lagos to the history and development of Nigerian and West Africa, uncontrolled population growth, and unplanned infrastructural development. The authors have delivered on their promise to tell the story of the emergence of Lagos as the administrative and commercial capital of Nigeria. It remains the commercial capital in spite of the movement of the capital to Abuja. Critical aspects of infrastructure development, architecture and construction implementation have been adequately covered for the period under consideration.
Going forward the authors have the point of view that proper comprehensive planning would have prevented the haphazard way Lagos evolved. Hence the book highlights the report of the Presidential Committee for the Redevelopment of Lagos Megacity a tripartite agency of the Federal, Lagos and Ogun state governments.
Referring to the report of the committee the author stated, “the recommendations are simple and easily understood statements and guidelines using and expanding on the work of existing institutions of the administration, but at the same time creating an appropriate monitoring process tailored to the task in hand”.
The book has reinforced my belief that although government is the key stakeholder in making cities work experience has shown that politicians, professionals, the private sector, the academia, CSOs, NGOs, local communities and the individual have a role to promote sustainable urban development. The rapid population growth in Lagos Megacity estimated to be 1000 immigrants per day poses serious challenges to everyone living here. Unfortunately this city which serves as the nerve centre of commerce and opportunities on one hand, on the other hand the citizens are under threat from risks of social and environmental disaster. How can people in Lagos derive more benefits from the advantages of living in a Megacity and not be suffering and smiling?
Sandbank City is related to the course of sustainable human development, it advocates effective planning, communication, coordination and collaboration of all participants at all levels in the city. The greatest strength of the book is the difference critical personalities made, are making and can make over 150 years. Some had negative impact others had positive, their roles have been well recorded for our information and instruction. We meet them everyday as we go through the streets of Lagos. What legacy will you leave behind?
I recommend the book to you as the first step to making a difference, read it again and again, give it the strategic position on your coffee tables, promote it at home, schools, churches, clubs, banks, everywhere you go. Lagos is our city, be a city changer. Eko o ni baje!
