Lifestyle
PHOTOS: Chief Candido Joao Da Rocha: Nigeria’s First Millionaire and Lagos’s Water Pioneer
Chief Candido Joao Da Rocha remains one of the most fascinating figures in Nigerian economic history. Celebrated as Nigeria’s first millionaire, he was a pioneering businessman, landowner, and philanthropist whose life reflected both the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness of 19th-century Lagos.
Born in 1860 in Bahia, Brazil, Candido Da Rocha was part of the Afro-Brazilian returnee community — descendants of Yoruba people who were enslaved and later freed, choosing to return to West Africa. His father, Joao Esan Da Rocha, was among these returnees. A former Yoruba slave, Joao Esan returned to Lagos after gaining his freedom, where he laid the foundations of a family business that his son would later expand into a vast commercial empire.
Candido Da Rocha was a man of vision and enterprise. From his base on Kakawa Street, Lagos Island, he built what became known as the “Water House.” This iconic building housed the first borehole and water fountain on Lagos Island, serving as the main source of clean water for residents at a time when access to potable water was limited. Through his water distribution system, Da Rocha not only revolutionized how Lagosians accessed water but also established a successful business model that combined innovation with public service.
Beyond the water business, Da Rocha ventured into hospitality and real estate. He owned the now-defunct Bonanza Hotel, which catered to elite guests in colonial Lagos, and also operated The Restaurant Da Rocha, which was a popular establishment during his time. His business acumen made him one of the wealthiest men in Nigeria. One of the defining moments of his financial success was a lucrative gold bar transaction in 1894 that significantly increased his fortune.
Despite his wealth, Chief Candido Da Rocha was known for his humility and generosity. He was a major benefactor to the less privileged and contributed to various community causes. As a member of the Afro-Brazilian elite, he played a significant role in shaping Lagos’s social and cultural landscape, promoting Western education, architecture, and entrepreneurship among returnee families.
Da Rocha’s influence extended beyond business. He held the chieftaincy title of Lodifi of Ilesa, a testament to his standing in both the Yoruba and Lagos communities. His Water House became more than just a family residence — it was a landmark of innovation and affluence in colonial Lagos and was later immortalized in Antonio Olinto’s novel The Water House, which drew inspiration from his legacy.
Chief Candido Joao Da Rocha’s life was a story of transformation — from the son of a freed slave to one of the most influential businessmen in Nigerian history. Through his enterprises, philanthropy, and cultural contributions, he helped shape Lagos into a modern, economically vibrant city. His legacy continues to symbolize the possibilities of hard work, innovation, and vision in the face of historical adversity.
Sources:
Falola, Toyin, Economic Pioneers of Colonial Lagos.
National Archives of Nigeria, Lagos Division.
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Lifestyle
Reverend Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti: The Singing Minister Who Gave Nigeria Its First Recorded Gospel Album
The image features Reverend Canon Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti (1855–1930), a pioneering Nigerian clergyman, educator, and music composer whose legacy bridges the worlds of Christianity, music, and cultural identity. Known widely as “The Singing Minister,” Ransome-Kuti was among the first to use indigenous music as a tool for evangelism and social reform in colonial Nigeria.
Born in 1855 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti hailed from a distinguished Egba family. He was educated at the Church Missionary Society (CMS) Training Institute, Abeokuta, and later at CMS Grammar School, Lagos, where he received a foundation in Western education and Christian theology. His early exposure to missionary teaching shaped his lifelong dedication to the Anglican Church and his passion for spreading Christianity through music.
Ransome-Kuti became one of the first Nigerian clergymen ordained by the Church Missionary Society, serving faithfully at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Ake, Abeokuta, where he also taught music and organized choirs. He earned the affectionate nickname “The Singing Minister” for his exceptional ability to blend gospel teachings with indigenous Yoruba melodies, which made his messages more relatable to local congregations.
In 1922, he made history by becoming the first Nigerian musician to record an album, under the Zonophone label, in London. The record featured his original compositions of Yoruba hymns and Christian songs, such as “Jesu Olugbala ni mo f’ori fun ẹ” (“I give myself to Jesus the Saviour”). His works were instrumental in translating Christian theology into a form accessible to Yoruba-speaking communities.
Ransome-Kuti was also a composer of the Egba national anthem, “Lori Oke Ati Petele,” and numerous hymns that continue to be sung in Anglican churches across Nigeria. His use of Yoruba tonality in gospel music not only preserved indigenous musical identity but also marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s cultural and religious history.
A passionate missionary, he led campaigns against idolatry in Abeokuta and neighboring regions, using his songs as a tool for moral and spiritual transformation. His evangelistic approach made Christianity more appealing to the Yoruba people during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Beyond his ministry, Ransome-Kuti left a profound family legacy. He was the grandfather of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, two of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural icons. This lineage reflects the enduring influence of the Ransome-Kuti family on Nigerian intellectual, cultural, and political life.
Reverend Ransome-Kuti passed away in 1930, leaving behind a rich musical and spiritual heritage. His recordings are preserved at the British Museum and recognized as some of the earliest examples of African Christian music ever captured on record.
Today, he is remembered not only as a devout minister and composer but also as a cultural bridge-builder who used faith and music to unify communities and redefine worship in Nigeria.
Sources:
British Museum Archives, Josiah Jesse Ransome-Kuti Recordings (1922)
Church Missionary Society Records, London (1890–1930)
Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Profiles of Yoruba Pioneers (2023)
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