Some years later, one of the Portuguese merchants, a friend of King Eshilokun, asked the king to let two of his children accompany him to Portugal and he promised to bring them back. The King was very wary of this offer and he thought instead of risking the
While the King thought he was protecting the interests of his own children, he was in fact denying them an opportunity that would
Oshodi and Dada Antonio went with the Portuguese merchant to America and they were later returned to the King after many years.
On arrival from America, Oshodi was employed by Messrs. G. L. Gaiser as a Commission Agent and Toll Collector.
After the death of King Eshinlokun, Chief Oshodi remained loyal to his children. He particularly cast his lot with Idewu
Kosoko and other descendants of King Eshilokun were not satisfied with the decision
and were ready to show their
Conscious of the right of Kosoko to the throne, Akitoye justly decided to search for Kosoko his nephew, who had taken refuge in Whydah. He believed that he must enjoy his patronage while on the throne.
Kosoko finally returned to Lagos with Chief Oshodi in a vessel belonging to
Henceforth, Chief Oshodi worked to maintain peace between Kosoko and Akintoye, and eventually brought the two together on terms. The peace effort was thwarted by Chief Eletu Odibo who had employed all the persuasive words he could, to dissuade
When a war broke out between King Akitoye and Kosoko,
With the death of Eletu Odibo, the elders advised Akitoye to escape to his mother’s town in Abeokuta. When Kosoko heard about the plan, he detailed his war chief, Oshodi, to lay ambush for Akitoye, kill him, and bring his head
Chief Oshodi returned to report to Kosoko that Akitoye had escaped by the use of a powerful
While in exile, Akitoye appealed to the British Government for help to restore him to his throne. A war broke out; the British started to bombard Lagos, setting the town on fire. Kosoko’s defense under the command of
Although the war seemed to have ended with Kosoko in exile, there were sporadic raids on Lagos from Epe; disturbing the peace and trade of the island.
On the 26th of January 1854, a peace conference, historically known as Langbasa meeting, was held at Agbekin (Palaver Island)
At the opening of this remarkable conference, the Epe people, led by Chief Oshodi Tapa expressed their strong desire to return to
The proposal was not agreeable to the Consul on the basis that two Kings could not rein in Lagos.
Governor Glover was very grateful for Chief Oshodi’s contributions to peace inLagos.
On their arrival to Lagos, Governor Glover sought permission from Aromire to give part of Epetedo to Chief Oshodi. For himself,
The palace of Oshodi is located in the center of the area of land in Epetedo.
For the most notable and extraordinary role of Chief Oshodi in the restoration of peace to Lagos
With his background of having been to America, Oshodi did not miss the opportunity to educate his children. He solicited Governor Glover to educate one of
Chief Balogun Oshodi Tapa died on 2nd of July1868 about six years after his return from exile in Epe, leaving forty six surviving children. His body was laid to rest at the center of
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