Are you planning to visit Nigeria soon? Why don't you take your time to visit Badagry, an accient and historical town in Lagos State, South West of Nigeria. Badagry well known for slave trade contains just more than that, there are many things i would like to call the first things, such as the first primary school in Nigeria, the first storey building and so on. The town dominated mainly by the Awori, Yoruba and Egun people which main occupation in the olden days includes basket and mat weaving, fishing and agriculture, sand mining, you can see this is instresting. Also with wide range of local festival most which are to celebrate local gods, festival like the Egungun, Zangbeto festival and so on.
I honorably present to you the top places to visit in Badagry. So pack your camera and some few bucks, it will be so much fun.
The Boekoh Quarter
This is one of the most interesting place to visit in Badagry, it contains the concentration of the slave trade collection, from the Seriki Abass Williams Brazilian Barcoon which are use to house the slaves, The Mobee Relics Museum, The point of No return, slavery port and so on.
Reason To Visit
-Home to the point of no return, an island in which the slave are sold after days in baracoon. Boatmen are there to take you on a cruise.
-The mobee museum where you van see the neck, leg chains use to hold the slaves
-You will see the slave port built for shipping slaves
-The well which it water is used to charm the slaves and so on
First storey building in Nigeria
The building which is next to the Boekoh quarters in Badagry. The building is the first storey one in the country build in 1845 about 170 years old. It was there Samuel Ajayi Crowther translated the Holy Bible from English to the local Yoruba dialect. You need to visit because it's very close to the slave trade relics museum.
First Primary School
Badagry home to the first primary school in Nigeria. The St. Thomas Primary School, located a stone throw after the Badagry Round about where you can see the first pair of The historical and spiritual Sato Drum.
Going there asaures you of seeing the Sato Drum, Badagry Grammar School (The first secondary school in Badagry) and you can also taste the local biscuit called Ajogun (/Harjorgun/).
The Agia Tree
Under this tree was the first place christainity was preached in Nigeria. Although a strong wind had blew the tree away. A cenotaph had been erected at the exact spot of the tree. You can also eat the local biscuit called Ajogun here.
Black Heritage Museum
The Badagry Heritage Museum in Badagry is a one storey building that houses the artifacts, records and culture of the Badagry people. Objects in this museum date back to pre-slave era, slave era and post slave era.
The people of Badagry wanting to keep their heritage intact and as a reminder of what happened in their town decided to resist huge buyouts of some of the things they hold dear and have instead decided to put in this museum items that are unique, old and valued historically.
At the museum, the tour guide will take you on a trip through 8 galleries all named for different periods of the slave era. From capturing slaves to chaining them to sending them abroad to abolishment laws to slaves returning back to Badagry.
The museum is very rich in culture, information and history. ]The heritage museum is a must visit if you are looking to see a part of the African Origin.
It is often said that the African story did not begin with slaves and this museum shows it. You will find the culture & records of the people who inhabited Badagry long before the setllers came and changed everything. There a thousand reasons for you to be here. Especially if you a black American wanting to trace your root.
Whisering Palms Resort and Hotel
Located in a serene village of Epeme. The resort is a cool way to relax and enjoy your day. Its very close to the the beach you can surf the waters with motorboats, See some fantastic animals in the Zoo, many instresting activity you can think of for both young and adult alike.
Whispering Palms Beach Resort is a hotel that focuses on providing a relaxing stay. Describing itself as a 'conference resort centre', the hotel is situated in a beautiful seaside location, surrounded by palm trees and lush sand; all aiming to create a soothing atmosphere. The food served is a choice of different international cuisines, as well as local Nigerian delicacies, such as ogbono, a mango-like fruit, which is served spiced with ugu and bitter leaf.
Vlekete Slave Market
This also an historical point the Vlekete Slave Market which was established in 1502 in Badagry Lagos, served as the meeting point for European slave merchants, African middlemen and slaves brought from the hinterlands who were later auctioned. Vlekete Slave Market was unarguably the largest and most populated in the country.
Reports showed that the market opened for business every two days with no fewer than 900 slaves sold per week. The slaves were auctioned for commodities like iron bars, mirror, cotton, dry gin, whiskey, cannons, gunpowder, gun and other assorted spirits.
Suntan Beach
"Please Do not dare the sea" says the welcome message to the beach. The Suntan Beach is one of the most coolest place to relax in Badagry town. Covered with beautiful palm trees and huts for people to sit, eat and watch the ocean waves. It even has a marriage registry in case you want to hook up, instresting one.
Reports says no mishap has been recorded on the beach since inception.
Q-brat Zoos and Resort
Need to see some wild during your stay. Qbrat zoo is the palce you should be during your stay. Serene environment like most places in Badagry. Prouding itself for the following Q-Brat Zoological Gardens with varieties of wild animals, Q-Brat Recreation Park comprising of assorted children playing items like: bouncy castle, Trampoline, Swings, Slides, Merry-go-round, Rockers, See-saw etc, Garden of Eden: a natural vegetarian and a place of peace in the noisy city of Lagos.
The Early Missionary Cemetery
Last but not the least on this list is The early missionary cemetery its accounts for the first Christian funeral service in Nigeria. It was established in 1845 by the Anglican and Wesleyan missionaries.
