Badagry

[2] Serving as a lagoon and an Atlantic port, Badagry emerged as a commercial center on the West African coast between 1736 and 1851.

[3] Its connecting and navigable lakes, creeks and inland lagoons acted as a means to facilitate trade and as a security bar for residents.

Another source links the people living at a settlement called Gberefu as the Ewe's of Oyo, an island along the Atlantic coast.

[5] One of the recorded notable events in the history of Badagry was the acquisition of land by a European trader who was locally known as Yovo Huntɔkonu.

[10] Huntɔkonu meaning(laughing or smiling priest)arrived from the west, settling in the area after fleeing the wrath of an African chief.

Badagry was one of the routes that benefited from the ongoing slave trade conflict between Portnovo and Dahomey at the end of the eighteenth century.

[12] Huntokonu set up a trading post on the gifted land in 1736 and it was after Huntɔkonu settlement that Badagry emerged as a slave port, serving principally as an outlet for Oyo and displacing Apa politically and commercially.

Each migrant group were affiliated with Eight heterogeneous quarters[15] and newly arrived immigrants settled in wards related to their state of origin.

[21] Among Adele's followers from Lagos were Muslims, mostly servants from the Northern region, this group introduced Islam to the Ogu people in the city-state.

[10] After the British abolished the slave trade, notable trader Francisco Félix de Sousa migrated to Badagry around 1807.

[22] Unlike in the interior, Badagry's soil was not suitable for commercial agriculture, but farms were set up in areas surrounding the town.

[10] Badagry's location as a coastal town with links northwards to Abeokuta and Oyo made it a port of entry for emigrants from Sierra Leone and missionaries.

The eight wards are Jegba (Akran, The ruling house), Asago (Bala), Ganho (Agoloto), Posuko (Possu), Boeko (Mobee), Ahoviko (Wawu), Ahwanjigo (Jengen), and Wharakoh(vihento).

[35][36] Ajido Zangbeto festival was supported by Lagos state, various groups, like the royal father's , women of Zangan, Yonnusi, Kregbeto, Zan holu, Ohugigo, and others danced as friends guests and tourists paid tribute to the king, Aholu Saheed Sedonu Adamson, Topon Toviaga 1, of Ajido kingdom.

Aholu Adamson said, "Zangbeto" is a socio cultural heritage that is celebrated in high esteem with commitment by the Egun (Ogu) people.

Agemo, whose works have been influenced by the Thron, Atinga, Tolegba and Tovothun,( gods and goddess) of Egun (ogu) people is representing Nigeria.

Francis Sewanu Agemo art has evolved over the years through the upbringing with his grandparents, who are faithful worshipers of the Thron, Atinga and Tovothun (gods and goddess of Egun people).

Agemo, who spoke to vanguard in an exclusive interview stated that " he has over time developed his forms and figures that bear semblance to the objects of worship like totems, statues, masks and raffia threads.

His paintings are mostly narrations of fragmental histories and societal discussions, political issues, ancestral rites and abandoned beliefs.

Most of his figures for his art drawn from status in Badagry, artifacts and cultural products- the shrines, e.t.c which Francis Sewanu Agemo the artist uses to create his own concept.

Badagry's closeness to the sea and its historical past with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade and missionaries attracts tourists to the town.

If we can finish the construction of both Sea Ports, it would free up.the congestion in the Apapa axis and create a new business hub for our people".

[40] Thangbe Temple of Harmless Pythons in Dale-Whedakoh Kingdom The aboriginal people of Badagry are of Whedah (Quidah), Weme, Alladah stock, and the Dale-Whedakoh Kingdom is the ancestral headquarters of all Whedahs found in special quarters of Badagry like Ahovikoh, Boekoh, Awhanjigoh and Asagoh.

The reverence of Dale-Whedakoh Kingdom among the Whédah descendants is partly because it is the traditional head of the dynasty and custodian of "Thangbe Deity" of all Whedahs.

Till date live "Thangbe Deity" - the Harmless Pythons of the Whédahs in Nigeria are sacredly housed in Thagbekoh quarters of Dale-Whedakoh Kingdom.

Just like Quidah in Benin Republic, many tourists and lovers of African culture and tradition visits Dale-Whedakoh regular to experience the Harmless Pythons of the Whédahs people worldwide.

Moreso, Dale-Whedakoh is an autonomous kingdom with its own kingship but same customs, religion, culture and tradition as all other Whédah quarters in Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.

[41] The museum shows evidence of the arrival of Europeans to the Badagry area and the origins of the humans traded for money, gin and other things.

Artefacts that are reminders of the savagery of the capture, entrapment, and enslavement of African people include yokes, chains, a mouth lock to silence the captives, and handcuffs for children.

Samuel Ajayi Crowther, the first African CMS Bishop, lived there when he undertook the translation of the Holy Bible from English to Yoruba.

Badagry Local Government Secretariat Entrance Gate
Palace of the Mobee of Badagry Kingdom
First story building in Nigeria
Point of No Return
Picture of the Agia Tree where Christianity was first proclaimed in Nigeria