A Lagos-based socio-political group, BATKORRECT, has distributed copies of a book titled ‘Behind The Streets: Inside the World of Personalities Popular Lagos Streets Are Named After’ to secondary school students across Lagos State. This initiative was part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The book was written by Adeshina Oyetayo, Special Adviser on Research, Media and Documentation to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Before the distribution, the group held a series of book-reading sessions in three educational districts of Lagos State. During these sessions, Oyetayo introduced students to the lives and contributions of personalities whose names are associated with prominent Lagos streets. The goal was to help students connect with the history behind familiar street names and understand the contributions of individuals who played roles in Lagos and Nigeria’s development.
The Coordinator of BATKORRECT, Victor Ganzallo, spoke at a reading session at Mainland High School, Yaba. He mentioned that the group partnered with Oyetayo to make the book accessible to young Nigerians, especially with the reintroduction of History into the school curriculum. Ganzallo emphasized that students can learn about important personalities and their impact on society through Oyetayo’s research.
The book is dedicated to President Bola Tinubu, whom Oyetayo credits with legacies of leadership and transformation in Lagos State. Ganzallo expressed hope that young Nigerians will discover the remarkable lives of eminent personalities whose names grace major streets in Lagos. These individuals’ contributions and sacrifices helped build a better Nigeria.
The group’s Publicity Secretary, Aminat Elegushi, stated that the exercise was part of BATKORRECT’s community development and educational outreach programmes. The initiative aimed to deepen young people’s understanding of their environment and its associated history. Elegushi also mentioned that the exercise was part of their enlightenment initiatives on environmental sanitation and protection.
The book-reading team visited several schools, including Osborne Schools Complex, Ikoyi, and Ajayi Crowther Memorial High School, Akoka. The distribution followed an earlier intervention where the group distributed cooking gas to vulnerable households across Lagos. Elegushi acknowledged the support of the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, for the group’s programmes.
The distribution of the book is part of BATKORRECT’s efforts to promote education and community development in Lagos State. By providing students with a deeper understanding of the history behind Lagos street names, the group hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders and citizens who appreciate the contributions of those who came before them.
Key points
- BATKORRECT distributed a book about Lagos street names to secondary school students.
- The book was written by Adeshina Oyetayo and is part of the group’s educational outreach programmes.
- The initiative aims to promote a deeper understanding of Lagos history and its significance.
