Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos
, Foreign dignitarySitter in 4 portraits
Tijani was an Idejo Chief who controlled a series of villages and towns in the Lagos area. He held strong nationalist views, arguing that the British colonial government had no authority to interfere with the Oba's (ruler of Lagos) rule. In 1920, Oluwa and Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay visited the Privy Council in London to defend the Oba's right of ownership to land appropriated by the British Government. The Council ruled in their favour. This case proved to be a landmark in Nigerian history as it recognised the Chiefs as absolute owners of the land. Songs and poems were later composed in Oluwa's honour.
Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 12 July 1920
NPG x84007
Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75017
Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75018
Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos
by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75019
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Princess Oyeyinka Oluwa
12 June 2019, 21:49
I am proud to tell you that this charismatic royalty is my great grand father.