History of Epe: Fish Town

Lagos is an island with a lot of aquatic splendour. It is the most developing city in Africa with a population of over 20 million people from different walks of life. When life began here, there were five divisions in which the people were divided into. These divisions were created as local council areas to foster local politics.

The acronym IBILE speaks about the divisions. Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos-Island and Epe. The first letters of the places in Lagos turned out to be the name for which Lagos operates her politics.

I live in Epe, a part of the divisions of Lagos, the mega city. The people here are predominantly fishermen.

At the entrance to Epe town is a monument of fish, which the town is known for. Every weekend, dwellers from other division that have salt water and eat sea fish, comes around to Epe, the fish basket of Lagos, to buy as much freshwater fish as possible. Shrimp is also available.

The monument is an indication that Epe is the place where you can get as much freshwater fish as you want. The species of fishes present here could make good meals. Tilapia fish is one of the most prominent among the fishes you can get here.

It was believed that fishermen from other parts of the country also sail from the south-south towards Lagos to fish. Thís accounts for the occupation of Lagos by the Bini people in the eighteenth century.

During the period, Lagos was under a local champion of Bini descent who discovered the island on account of his fishing expedition from the far away Bini kingdom.

The reign of the Bini prince did not last. Traders of European and American descent have made their presence known during the period. They assisted the Lavis traditional society to dislodge the Bini invaders of Lagos. At this time, Epe is still only a trade route.

However, when Oba (King) Abiodun of Lagos returned as the paramount ruler of Lagos after the demise of his father during the occupation of Bino on Lagos, his uncle, Prince Kosoko rose against him.

Again, the British gun boat was already stationed on the sea of Lagos to dislodge any one who would not support the popular King Abiodun.

Kosoko abdicated his throne to Epe where he became an elite among the locals who haven't seen modernization during the time. Till today, Lagos dwellers who escaped with Kosoko now live in Epe, as an extension of Lagos.

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