Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
Prince Abiola Kosoko, his Olori, Kosoko family chieftains with members of the Olowognowo Fanty during the carnival procession in commemoration of the return of King Kosoko back to Lagos 160 years ago.
Prince Abiola Olojo Kosoko, the Oloja of Lagos elect, has said that the dynasty of late King Kosoko of Lagos is bringing back the history of the royal family and memories of their ancestor through the re – enactment of ‘The Return 1862’.
He also said that putting together the full family’s cognomen into an anthem is to ensure that the memories of the late Kosoko remains with both old and young members of the family.
Prince Abiola Kosoko, the Oloja -elect on the stage with the troupe that performed the Kosoko family anthem at the night of the re – enactment of the return of King Kosoko back to Lagos, tagged, ‘The Return 1862’
Kosoko, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Origin Zoo & Garden, Ikorodu, stated this while addressing hundreds of King Kosoko family members at the palace of the late monarch in Ereko late night on Thursday, September 15, 2022, during the cultural display after the procession across the major streets of Lagos.
The ‘landing light’, which depicts what King Kosoko and his team did on arrival at the Ereko waterfront to announce their arrival and illuminate their path, was re – enacted at 12am by the Oloja – elect.
Lightening of the ‘Landing Light’
The colouful carnival procession that took off from the King Kosoko’s palace passed through Ereko, Balogun Streets to connect Broad Street and then Tinubu Square, Nnamdi Azikwe Way, Idumota and returned to the Kosoko palace at Ereko.
During the procession which was designed to bring back the movement of King Kosoko from Epe back to Lagos in 1862 after his exile in Epe, Prince Abiola Kosoko and other family chieftains paid homage at John Taiwo Olowo cenotaph along the Broad Street, Sogunro cenotaph at Balogun and Idumota while entering into the Broad Street.
Prince Abiola Kosoko, family chieftains and guests before the carnival procession on Thursdsy night.
It was indeed an awesome night as Olowogbowo Fanty group added fun and excitement to the procession, The team that came with four horses and parade cart, comprised of about 50 men and women who dressed in yellow carnival attires and led the family in the procession.
“I can assure you that we have put our song of praise together and it not going to be something that we would forgot again. We now have full version of the cognomen of the family for us to now recite appropriately”, Prince Kosoko said while addressing family members after the procession.
“We would have it on our phones and sing it before any family meeting or engagement. It is something that we would all get used to. We have repackaged it for all to get used to.
Speaking on the ‘Landing Light’ with THE IMPACT, Prince Kosoko said:
“The landing light is just the beginning of what happened 160 years ago, when King Kosoko returned from Epe with his followers and the landing light signified his arrival”, he recalled.
Kosoko Palace on the eve of the commemorative anniversary
“At that particular time, history has it that there was no light and what they had then was a local device and on his arrival that morning, they had a burning fire which made them to see the environment and move around the shoreline. That is just the significance of the landing light.
“They also had the lamp at that time which they used in roaming around.
Family members watching a performance at the Kosoko Palace
“What we did was to re – enact the process and later in the day, there are many other things that would be done to showcase that historical moment”, he said.
It was a proud moment for the members of the late King dynasty as they danced and marched across Lagos Island to bring back their family’s heritage.
Carnival procession round Lagos Island
