Lagos Notes and Records

Editorial

LNR Editorial Team — 2025-12-23

I am delighted to announce the publication of Volume 31, Number 2 (2025) of our esteemed journal, Lagos Notes and Records. The volume comprises ten (10) well-researched scholarly articles representing contemporary thought across various humanities disciplines, with a particular focus on History and Culture, Literature, Creative Arts, Language and Linguistics, and Religion. Each contribution provides a unique perspective on pressing socio-cultural, historical, and economic issues, offering a wealth of knowledge to scholars and the general public alike.

The articles featured in this volume not only provide new insights into their respective fields but also engage with broader social, cultural, and historical concerns. I, therefore, commend the authors for their scholarly contributions and thank the editors for their diligent work. I am confident that the diverse perspectives presented in the volume will stimulate further research and broaden academic conversations across the humanities and beyond.

Appraising Environmental Action in Political Discourse: A Nigerian Gubernatorial Example

Ayodeji A. Adedara — 2025-12-16

While research has been growing in the linguistic analysis of environmental discourse in Euro-American and other international contexts, this paper focuses on the communication of an ecological vision by the governor of a Nigerian state, Lagos. Combining Appraisal Theory with Eco-Critical Discourse Analysis, the study aims to determine to what extent the government portrayed its actions as contributing to salvaging the environment. Drawing from data collected for a broader study, the paper isolates textlets (clauses and clause-complexes) from a corpus of 100 speeches spanning 29 May 2007 and 29 May 2015. While adopting an essentially qualitative approach under the framework of environmental humanities, the study supports its analysis with a bit of software overview and presents appraisal tables that illustrate the deployment of intentional ecocentric languaging in the speeches. Findings support the positive evaluation of the administration’s initiatives and interventions on the environment, based on the appraisal categories of attitude, engagement and graduation.

Aláhoro Factor in the New Ọyọ History

Jamiu Ajiboye Owolabi — 2025-12-16

Scholarly analyses of the collapse of the Òyó Empire and the foundation of New Òyó have largely overlooked the Aláhoro factor, making its role in New Òyó's emergence an understudied area of history. This article examines the status of Aláhoro within the context of New Òyó history and explores the rationale for the integration of the Aláhoro towns. It interrogates the methods of this integration, highlighting the socio-economic contributions of the Aláhoro towns to the development of New Òyó. Adopting a historical methodology, the study relies on both primary and secondary data. Primary sources include oral accounts collected from representatives of the Aláhoro quarters, while secondary data are sourced from court proceedings, government documents, books, and journals on Òyó history. Findings reveal that, contrary to claims of forced annexation or conquest (e.g., by Johnson), the Aláhoro towns were integrated into New Òyó primarily through persuasion.

The Semantics of Kọ́-Negative Constructions in Yoruba

Johnson Fọlọrunṣọ Ilọri — 2025-12-16

The presumption in relevant literature is that kọ́ is a nominal constituent negation marker in Yoruba. This position is problematic in two ways: first, it runs contrary to the generally known concept of negation as a denial of a proposition; and second, insights from the semantic and syntactic structure of kọ́-negation constructions show that the scope of kọ́ in that particular context is not just the focused constituent that linearly precedes it, but the totality of the focus construction that serves as its subcategorized complement. This paper investigates the semantics of kọ́-negation constructions in Yoruba via their entailments and presuppositions to examine what they teach about the overall logical interpretations of such constructions. Findings show that kọ́-constructions in the language embed, entail, and presuppose not just the focused item but the simple proposition from which the focused item is extracted. The paper concludes that what is negated in Yoruba kọ́-negative constructions are not just the focused items but the entire proposition from which the focused items are extracted.

Characterization and Language in Dambudzo Marechera’s "The House of Hunger"

Kayọde Kofoworọla — 2025-12-16

This paper engages with Marechera’s approach to characterization and language in “The House of Hunger”. It argues that the protagonists in these stories defy conventional modes of characterization; they are rather dislocated individuals whose fractured selves reflect the rupture in society. Through an analysis of Marechera’s stylistic decisions—such as the use of profanity, metaphor, surreal imagery, and syntactic fragmentation—the paper contends that these decisions are not merely aesthetic choices but necessary strategies for representing psychological and social disintegration in postcolonial Zimbabwe. It concludes that Marechera’s work cul-de-sacs the reader into a redefinition of literary commitment and the importance of privileging existential honesty over ideological conformity.

Re-thinking Traditions of Origin and State Formation in Ikorodu up to 1894

Charles Omotayo — 2025-12-16

As is the case with most towns in Yorubaland, the tradition of origin and migration stories of the coastal community of Ikorodu is shrouded in controversy, making it difficult for historians to categorically state its origin. As a result, historians have not yet concretised their views about the possible place of origin of the Ikorodu people. While efforts have been made to make meaningful deductions from a large body of oral data, findings from such efforts have led to several versions of how the community and her people came into existence. Extant literature on the tradition of origin of Ikorodu focused on one version over the other. The state formation of the community has not received quality attention from scholars, a situation which has created a vacuum in the historiography of Ikorodu’s history. This paper interrogates the various versions of the traditions of origin of Ikorodu. It draws inferences to settle certain fundamental historical issues. It examines the formation of the state up to 1894, when Ikorodu was ceded to the British, and highlights the features of state formation before the period. This paper adopts a simple historical narrative method, relying on information from in-depth interviews, archived materials and secondary sources. The paper concludes that Ikorodu community had long established structures of state and evolved its own mechanism of governance before the coming of the British.

Embodying Power: The Role of Performance Style in Yoruba Political Verbal Arts

Sunday Caleb Ọwọade — 2025-12-16

Yorùbá verbal arts, particularly traditional songs and music, are performed in ways that are vital in communicating power dynamics, sociocultural messages, and the significance of political discourse among the Yorùbá people. This article analyzes the performance styles of selected traditional song performers to demonstrate how both verbal and nonverbal elements of Yorùbá performance contribute to the understanding of political messages within Yorùbá communities. It emphasizes that performance is not solely about the content of the words but also about their delivery and embodiment, which can amplify their impact and reinforce sociopolitical structures within the society. Drawing on performance theory, the study examines how Yorùbá traditional songs and music serve as powerful tools for political discourse and identity formation among the Yorùbá, focusing specifically on the Oǹdó, Ìbògùn, and Ò̩yó̩ communities. Through a detailed analysis of the selected performers' styles, it reveals how songs and music not only reflect but actively shape understandings of power, solidarity, and sociopolitical interactions in Yorubaland. It argues that the performance styles of Yorùbá oral performers enhance the effectiveness of political narratives conveyed through performance. By highlighting the vital role of performance style in negotiating power and fostering cultural resilience, the study contributes to broader dialogues on the relationship between oral art and politics, offering new insights into the vitality of Yorùbá political aesthetics and the global relevance of indigenous expressive traditions.

Social Deprivation in Tony Nwaka’s "Lords of The Creek" and Tanure Ojaide’s "The Activist"

Olusola Oso — 2025-12-16

This paper analyzes the impact of corruption on environmental management in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, drawing on existing literature, specifically Tony Nwaka’s “Lords of the Creek” and Tanure Ojaide’s “The Activist”. Adopting Marxism as its theoretical framework, the study highlights the corruption depicted in these prose works. Findings indicate that corruption contributes significantly to environmental degradation in the region. Furthermore, the evident class structure—where the marginalized proletariat grapple with poverty, illness, and death from oil spillages, while the bourgeoisie oppress them—fuels social depravity, leading to vices like kidnapping and subsequent conflict. The study concludes that corruption has grave consequences for the environmental management of the Niger Delta, fostering various vices. It further concludes that the oppression stemming from the class structure provokes the marginalized proletariat to engage in counter-attacks and vices as a means of seeking justice and reclaiming their legitimate benefits.

Oral Poetry as Remnant of Yorùbá Cultural Heritage: Prospects and Challenges

Ayọdele Solomon Oyewale — 2025-12-18

Modernity, environmental shifts, and foreign religions have challenged the traditional relevance and acceptance of Yorùbá oral poetry. This study examines the heritage’s decline—often fuelled by cultural disconnection and the misconception that these forms are obsolete or "fetishist"—while exploring its deep philosophical roots within the Ifá corpus, proverbs, and diverse dialects. Despite these hurdles, innovative youth and contemporary Afrobeat artists are revitalizing the craft through social media and modern music. These digital platforms not only preserve the art form but also create economic opportunities and address unemployment. Ultimately, Yorùbá oral poetry remains an authoritative, transformative resource that continues to shape the performances of traditional musicians and contemporary artists alike.

Reflections on Nigeria-Jamaica Diplomatic Relations, 1970-2020

Faruq Idowu Boge — 2025-12-23

The imperativeness of diplomacy has made research in international studies and diplomatic relations a recurring decimal, given that relations between nations are essential for the upkeep of international affairs. Consequently, interest in diplomatic ties involving independent sovereigns and international organizations has led to a growing body of academic literature, especially since the turn of the twentieth century. However, the conduct of diplomacy between and among Third World Countries has not received adequate attention in existing scholarly documentation, and Nigeria-Jamaica relations are inclusive of this gap. While formal diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Jamaica span over five decades, research endeavour in this regard has not been impressive. This forms the exigency for this study. This paper is set to interrogate relations between Nigeria and Jamaica with the aim of articulating its impact. The pertinent question is: to what extent has Nigeria-Jamaica relations benefited Nigeria? This and other variegated issues arising from the two countries’ contact are examined in this analysis. Essentially, the paper adopts a multidisciplinary frame of analysis, employing both descriptive and analytical tools. The paper argues and demonstrates that while diplomatic relations between the two countries are not fortuitous, the prospects of such relations—with particular emphasis on the economy—have not been of much benefit to both countries. This is, however, not to say that the relationship has been without any mutual importance for the interacting nations.

Nollywood Proverbs as Sociolinguistic Expressions

Mojisola Shodipe — 2025-12-23

Proverbs serve as globally recognized expressions of a people's culture and worldview. While the Nollywood industry is acclaimed for propagating Africa’s diverse heritage, a crucial component of this cultural display lies in verbal expressions that illuminate traditional moral and ethical norms. This is most evident in the prevalence of proverbs within contemporary productions, ranging from thought-provoking to didactic and hilarious renditions that enhance the narrative’s thematic and aesthetic depth. This study explores the sociolinguistic dimensions of traditional proverbs in Yoruba films, focusing on how they are creatively adapted to represent social practices and their cultural implications. Although typically defined as short, pithy expressions that offer moral advice, these proverbs undergo dramatic transformations in modern Yoruba cinema to project their sociolinguistic significance. By integrating these dramatic elements, filmmakers make traditional wisdom more appealing to audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation of ancestral practices. Through a purposive selection of Nollywood proverbs, this research examines the elements that establish these sayings as the ethnography of a society.