A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has spoken on Nigeria’s historical evolution and the legacy of colonial rule during an appearance on the Femi Rogers Podcast aired on Monday, May 4, 2026.
During the interview, the elder statesman reflected on the period before Nigeria’s amalgamation, drawing attention to what he described as enduring challenges. He stated, “Before the British came to merge us in 1914, I need to talk about that. For the younger generation to see that the two evils that are still plaguing this country were left behind by the British. Which was religion and? Religious bigotry and tribalism.”
Chief George’s remarks referenced the Amalgamation of Nigeria, a significant development in the country’s history that brought together diverse regions under colonial administration. He maintained that certain divisions associated with that period have persisted over time.
He also provided historical context on the naming of Lagos, tracing its origins prior to colonial influence. According to him, “Lagos from the beginning, Eko as it was known, the Portuguese named it Lagos because it looked like their own Lagos in Portugal. I’ve been there. The same, you know, from the seaside, from the sea, there’s that lagoon that made it look the name of the lagoon there. I’ve been to the area and I saw it.”
The PDP chieftain further described geographical similarities he observed during his visit to Portugal. He said, “Yes, the peninsula there. That, that point was Lagos. So when they came, they were the first that landed here. So the same structure, they named it Lagos. It was Eko.”