The prominent Finnih family of Lagos is set to honor the life and legacy of Alhaji Buraimoh Afinni, a notable figure in Lagos’s history and the first Otun Balogun of Lagos Central Mosque, with the launch of a commemorative book on July 25.
The family described their progenitor, one of the wealthiest Lagosians of his time, as a billionaire of his era.
Afinni, who was regarded as one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, played a crucial role in the social and economic fabric of early 20th-century Lagos.
His entrepreneurial ventures in timber and produce, along with his extensive travels to Europe, showcased his remarkable achievements and impact on the city.
Dr. Abayomi Finnih, the eldest member of the family, described Afinni as a colossus who significantly influenced the social and economic landscape of Lagos.
He highlighted Afinni’s extensive contributions to the Muslim community and his role in the construction of the Lagos Central Mosque.
“He was very deep in Islamic religion. When the Lagos Central Mosque was being designed and constructed, he was one of the few people who contributed to the design of the mosque,” Finnih said.
During a news conference to announce the book launch, members of the Finnih family urged the Lagos State Government to sponsor the documentation of Lagos’s history.
They argued that such efforts are crucial in dispelling claims that Lagos is “no man’s land” and in preserving the heritage of its indigenous people.
Dr. Shola Labinjo, Chairman of the Organising Committee, emphasized the importance of historical documentation. “If we don’t know who we are, we are at the risk of extinction,” Labinjo stated.
He stressed the need for the government to archive the city’s history to protect the identity of true Lagosians. “If we do not have our history established, we will be found floating. Many say they are Lagosians but when they die they take them out,” he added.
Labinjo called on the Lagos State Government to take practical steps to address these concerns and ensure that the history of Lagos is documented and preserved for future generations. This initiative, he argued, would help protect the heritage of Lagosians and counteract the narrative that the city is a place without indigenous roots.
Alhaji Buraimoh Afinni was a prominent figure in Lagos during his time, described as a billionaire by contemporary standards.
His business ventures in timber and produce made him one of the wealthiest individuals of his era. He was known for his philanthropic activities and his contributions to the development of Lagos, particularly within the Muslim community.
Abiola Lateef Finnih, the publisher of the upcoming book on Afinni, echoed Labinjo’s sentiments about the importance of preserving Lagos’s history.
He noted that the true history of Lagos predates the colonial period and should be documented comprehensively. “The Europeans who made inroads into Lagos gave regards to those who played hosts to them on arrival.
“It is more sensible to think of the history of any local from its inception where possible or to the farthest back one can go in learning facts about those occupying the place,” Finnih explained.
He emphasized that the history of Lagos includes the stories of the original inhabitants and should not be overshadowed by the colonial narrative.
The efforts of the Afinni family to document their ancestor’s life, he said, should inspire other Lagosian families to do the same.
“Our history resides in every family who have planted their roots in Lagos. It becomes incumbent that the trail we are blazing today will ignite blazes in other families like us to also document their family history before it is too late,” Finnih stated.
Lateef urged the government to create avenues for families to share their histories and have them archived as part of Lagos’s official historical record. “Agreed that everybody comes from somewhere else, but a place still belongs to those who have occupied it longest. Lagos belongs to those who had forsaken their origin and fully transplanted to Lagos,” he stated.
Lateef highlighted Afinni’s extensive travels to England, France, and Germany, which were remarkable achievements in the early 20th century.
His business ventures made him one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, and he was known for his friendly competition with his contemporaries, such as Alli Balogun.
“They gave stature and respect to the religion and they exemplified what true Muslims should be,” Lateef added, praising Afinni’s contributions to the Muslim community and his role as a leader in central Lagos.
