TOURISM: Checkout 5 Fun Things to do in Badagry, Nigeria

 
The Ancient city of Badagry was founded in the early 15th century on a
lagoon, of the Gulf of Guinea with the majority of its indigene being
migrants from ‘’Dahomey’’ now ‘Benin republic’. This ancient city is
popularly known for its historical role during the slave trade era in
Nigeria. Being a major player in the exportation of slaves to The
Americas (i.e. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, and Saint-Dominguez now called
Haiti), it has added to its rich vein of traditional and cultural
history, thereby making it a go-to destination for tourism.

So if you wish to make a visit to the ancient city of Badagry to
experience firsthand, the history of slavery and see some of the ancient
relics and works of art that still exist today whether as a student of
history, or a curious mind, or better still in need of a worthwhile
vacation experience, among others, you have to try out these 5 things at
this lovely destination;

1. EXPLORE THE ENSLAVEMENT MUSEUMS

The
ancient town of Badagry according to history played a significant role
in the era of the slave trade in Nigeria, as it was a place where slaves
were held captive, sold and transported out of Nigeria to other
countries. There exist in these towns, various enslavement museums
showcasing the memoirs of the enslavement era such as;

• “Mobee slave relic museum” which was named
  after one of the chiefs who controlled Badagry in the era of slave
  trade. The name “Mobee” is derived from the Yoruba word for kola nut
  “obee” which was said to be what the leaders used during the era of
  slavery to welcome the white men by saying the word “E KABO EYIN ORE MI
  OYINBO, E MU OBEE JE” which was later used by the white men to refer to
  the chiefs whenever they approached and since then the clan adopted the
  name “Mobee”.
• “Seriki Williams Abass Slave Museum” which
  is also known as the slave Baracoon, is a Brazilian word for slave
  prison. The man Seriki William Abass was a Nigerian, a former slave
  turned merchant who traded in slaves during his lifetime. In his
  compound, there were 40 Baracoons where enslaved persons were kept
  before being transported to the various parts of the world.
• The Heritage Museum,
  These museum houses various instrument and artifacts used in the era of
  enslavement, ranging from iron chains of various sizes, to artworks of
  slaves in pain, canons, whiskey bottles used in exchange for as much as
  40 slaves, and the tomb of various slave merchants such as Late chief
  Sunbu Mobee who died October 16 1893, Seriki Williams Abass, among many
  other historical reference. Visit Badagry for more discoveries.

2. VISIT THE FIRST STOREY BUILDING IN BADAGRY

The
first Storey building in Badagry is an old monument that has remained
through the thick and thin of time. It was built in 1842 by Rev Bernard
Freeman and other missionaries. The building is custodian to a number of
historical events and landmarks such as the first primary school
(Nursery of Infant Church which later became St. Thomas’ Anglican
Nursery and Primary School) established by the Wesleyan mission
(Methodist Church) in 1843 and founded by Rev. Golmer in 1845. The first
Bible to be translated from English to Yoruba was also written in this
building by late Bishop Ajayi Crowther and can be sighted. This ancient
building also harbors an age long “wooden chair”
said to be there since 1915 making it 102 years old, a legendary sight
to behold. Also within this premise is the first water well, dug in
1842, called “miracle well” by the indigene of Badagry because of its purity.
                                        
There is a general
belief among them that one can possess anything they lacked ranging
from getting pregnant to having a child, a husband, among other desires
of man, once they drank from the well. There exists a lot of historical
monument to record in this facility such as the currencies introduced by
the missionaries after slave trade, among others.

3. Take a Boat ride to “Gberefu Island: Point of return”

A boat ride from the marina across the peninsula to the slave route popularly called “the point of no return” now called “The Point of return”
due to the fact that many people now travel the route and return is an
electrifying and a must experience during your visit to Badagry slave
port. The point of return as it is now called which is approximately a
seven minutes ride from the marina is located across the peninsula on
Gberefu Island. It is a must visit destination to explore as it is the
route used by slave masters and merchants to transport slaves to various
destinations from the Atlantic.

4. Have a soothing coconut drink.

A trip to Badagry without a taste of the local coconut drink is a 10
unit carry-over course. The drink is prepared by locals who pluck fresh
coconut from the palm, cut it open, then put a straw in it and ready for
consumption.  When next you visit Badagry ensure to have a taste of the nourishing coconut drink, hmmmmm….yummy! 

5. Turn up on Gberefu Island and Take paparazzi shots by the Atlantic.

Gberefu Island

Gberefu
Island is a picnic site by the Atlantic ocean for fun lovers to unwind.
You can sip the soothing coconut drink while relishing the sweet
sensation of the ocean wave, listening to music, dance, karaoke
sessions, and taking paparazzi shots. This shoreline is accessed off the
peninsula after a 2km fun walk. It is indeed an experience to last a
lifetime. Plan to visit Badagry for a picnic by the Atlantic and take
lifelong memory paparazzi shots that will leave you feeling like a
celebrity on the red carpet.

There are lots and lots of attractions that await you at Badagry, it
is such a beautiful, educative, captivating and fun destination to
explore, and it’s better experienced than told. Remember like the saying
goes, “What the eye sees the mind never forgets”. So what are you
waiting for? Take time off work, give yourself a treat, pick up your
bags and visit Badagry today with your family and friends for an
experience of a lifetime.