Fashionable Yoruba, Egba Men on the streets of London. Date: May 12th, 1937 (The Sketch)

 Original Caption “The Babalola of Abeokuta (right) came to London as one of the members of the West African delegation and is seen taking a stroll around London" The Caption of this photo might not be correct, is there any chieftaincy title such as the “Babalola” in Abeokuta? Was it meant to be “Oba lola” (King in waiting)

King Jaja of Opobo was born Mbanaso Okwaraozurumba in Umuduruoha, Amaigbo (present day Imo State) in the year 1821. He was sold into slavery and taken to Bonny Island (present day Rivers state) under circumstances which are far from clear. He was renamed Jubo Jubogha by his first master, Chief Iganipughuma Allison of Bonny, and later resold to Chief Alali who was the head of the Opubo Manilla Pepple Royal House. It was here that the British who couldn’t pronounce his name called him “Jaja”.

The Long juju shrine of Arochukwu

The Ibini Ukpabi popularly called the ‘Long Juju’ was an oracle of the Arochukwu kingdom in modern day Abia state. This oracle was used to settle disputes in the community and punish perpetrators of crimes. The Long Juju shrine served as a supreme court for the people of the kingdom. There were no appeals, and no one, either through status or wealth could reverse its judgement.

Those on trial would enter the temple complex and wander through it, ready to face the judgment of God.

Iyoba Idia: The 1st Queen Mother of the Great Benin Kingdom.

At the end of the 15th century, the kingdom of Benin was plunged into a state of unrest when Oba Ozolua died. He left two powerful sons who were said to have been born on the same day which meant that there was a dispute over who would succeed him.

One son, Esigie controlled Benin City, while the other son, Arhuaran, was based in the equally important city of Udo. Neither prince was prepared to yield to the other and soon after, a war ensued.

West African Yellow Fever Commission Yaba,Lagos: Image is showing the Tennis Court, Store House, Animal House, Laboratory and Administration Office.

In May 1903, an outbreak of yellow fever threatened the tranquility of Colonial Lagos; cases were reported up to the end of the year, with a total number of 38 cases, of which 10 had a fatal termination.

During 1913, some 29 cases of yellow fever were notified in Lagos. The first person infected was a European, who had arrived two days before from Abeokuta, where, however, the presence of the disease