Knowledge of history helps to understand the past, appreciate the present and look forward to the future. History paints a detailed picture of what has happened in the past and why it happened. Historic buildings tell a story. They are a physical representation of the past. They tell the cultural history of a community and allow the people to understand the cultural, educational, and aesthetic value of them.
Here’s a look at some of the historic buildings in Nigeria
First Storey Building in Nigeria
This ancient structure is located in Badagry, Lagos. It is the first building to be built with European architectural designs and building materials such as roofing sheets, nails and bricks. The foundation of the building was laid in 1842 by missionary Henry Townsend and the house was completed in 1845 by Rev. Bernard Freeman and other missionaries.
The building was a vicarage for Saint Thomas Anglican Church. Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a returnee slave who was the first African C.M.S bishop lived in one of the rooms of the building. The upper room of the building houses in a glass case the English and Yoruba version of the Bible translated by Ajayi Crowther. The Bible was said to have been translated around 1845.
There is also a well in the compound of the building which was dug in 1842. It served as a source of drinking water for the people living in the community.
Oba of Benin Royal Palace
The royal palace of the Oba of Benin which is located in Benin city was built in 1255AD – 1280AD. The palace which served as the home of the Oba of Benin was destroyed in 1897 during the British expedition and later made a UNESCO heritage site in 1999. It was rebuilt by Oba Eweka II.
According to the Art Institute of Chicago, a Dutch geographer Olfert Dapper described the place. He wrote, “It is divided into many magnificent palaces, houses, and apartments of the courtiers, and comprises beautiful and long square galleries…resting on wooden pillars, from top to bottom covered with cast copper, on which are engraved the pictures of their war exploits and battles.”
The royal palace of the Oba of Benin has over 900 collections of artifacts that were modeled and cast. The palace serves as a preservation of the rich Benin culture. It is commonly visited by curators, archaeologists and historians.
Lugard Hall
The building is situated in Kaduna and was built in 1914 and named after Fredrick Lugard. The building which is currently used as the Kaduna State house of assembly was initially used as the house of assembly and house of chiefs during the first republic. It was used as the house of legislature during the second republic.
When Kaduna was the headquarters of the Northern region, before and after the independence, the Lugard hall used to be where laws and decisions were made for the governance of the Northern province in Nigeria.
The building still stands at the center of a circular road in Kaduna.
The Cathedral Church of Christ
It is popularly known as the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina. It is the oldest Anglican cathedral church in Nigeria. It’s first foundation was laid on March 29, 1867 and was established in 1869. The construction of the current building by architect Bagan Benjamin started on November 1, 1924 and had its foundation stone laid by the Prince of Wales on April 21, 1925. It was finally completed in 1946.
History has it that the relics of Rev Samuel Ajayi Crowther who became the first African bishop in the Anglican church were translated there. There is a cenotaph erected in memory of him.
The cathedral which is currently the seat of the Bishop of Lagos used to be the seat of the archbishop of the Province of West Africa, the seat of the archbishop and primate of All Nigeria and the seat of the archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos.
Lagos Colonial Secretariat
The colonial secretariat was built in 1895 with imported bricks which were stamped with armorial bearings of the Quartermaster General of Britain which appeared on all British government property. It is well known for its twin towers. The building was said to have been used by Fredrick Lugard while directing the affairs of the Nigerian colony.
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