From these ocean of lock-up shops
We unlock the door of the Lagos dream:
Buying and selling is the secret of wealth
Where multitudes exchange means for endless needs
Sharing, savouring secular bouquets of mercantile smiles.
I-du-mo-ta!
Barrage of grains, bazaar of beverages
Household bits and office things
Clothing the host, adorning the guest
Heaven of elegant fabrics,
She clothes the groom, she clothes the bride
Robes their parents in a fulfilling lace
With gifts as varied as a peacock’s plumes.
I-du-mo-ta!
Even if we fail to remember everything
Can we forget the lift you gave to our films?
Nollywood is Nollywood because of your role
From this Ebinpejo screaming Lane
You zoomed our Nollywood to the global scene.
So, all because of Idumota,
Pride and prime of Lagos markets,
I bring sapo leaf from Lagos West,
Tori ewe nla ni sapo o yo:
That plenty millions may kiss your stalls;
From the East I bring the leaf of ogede agbagba,
Ewe nla l’ogede agbagba a yo:
That you may continue to savour a harvest of sales
From Lagos North and Lagos South
I am here with the bark of the pine tree,
Tori peregun kii ku boro:
That market chiefs may reign long
That marketers may healthily rise daily with the breaking dawn.
