The traditional leader of Topo, a suburb of Badagry in Lagos State, Chief Oluwadami Avoseh, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and prevent an expatriate from asserting ownership over Topo Island, their ancestral territory. He stressed the historical significance of the island, highlighting its association with their forefathers and its role as a site where coconut trees were first planted by Roman Catholic missionaries in 1845.
Avoseh disclosed that the island had been leased to the Catholic Church in the 18th century for a duration of 90 years, based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between their ancestors and the missionaries. However, he noted that the lease had long expired, and despite this, an expatriate named Satish Sterling was laying claim to ownership of the island.
Expressing concern over these developments, Avoseh stated that the island had not been sold to anyone and remained an integral part of the Topo Kingdom’s heritage, emphasizing the island’s significance as a tourist attraction for the community.
He called upon Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene and address the situation, urging him to assert the rightful ownership of the island by the people of Topo Kingdom.
IMAGE: Locals guide connect
