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Badagry T he coastal town of Badagry is one of the local government areas in Lagos State. From Lagos city to the Benin Republic, Badagry is situated closer to Seme border. Badagry municipality had a population of 241,093 as evidence by 2006 census results.
In the history of the links between Nigeria, Europe and the Americas, the town plays a significant role. During the centuries of the slave trade, it was a major slave outpost and market. Today, the city is a thriving tourist destination. Badagry continues to attract people of African descent from different part of the world that want to experience and learn more about the slave trade history.
Badagry is by the Lagoon and was founded in the 15th Century by Agbedeh a famous farmer. Badagry name evolved from "Ogu" language, Agbedegreme (which means Agbedeh's farm) to Agbedagari and Agbedagari to Badagry by Yoruba settlers and European slave traders respectively. Because, Badagry is a few kilometres from Seme, a Republic of Benin border town, till date, officially the town generates the highest Nigeria Customs duties income. Before the slave trade, it was a place of subsistence farming and fishing, due to its proximity to the ocean. If fishing and accessibility to the sea was a blessing, it was also a curse. Badagry was the critical port for the export of African slaves to the Americas. Till date, there is a museum in the building of the first Christian mission that showcases the manacles and other relics of the slave trade.
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THE FACT THAT WILL MAKE YOU VISIT BADAGRY:
Many Firsts
Reverend Henry Townsend built Nigeria's first storey Building in Badagry in 1845. The building was later occupied by Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a slave returnee, the first African C.M.S Bishop that translated the Holy Bible to Yoruba. Badagry top the lists of many "firsts" in Nigeria's colonial history. It was annexed by the British and incorporated into the Lagos colony in 1863 and later became one with Nigeria in 1901. The first primary school, St Thomas Primary School, was established in 1845. The Agia Tree Where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria by Rev. Birch Freeman of Methodist Church. The locals believe that it is a place for saying answered prayers. The people of Badagry comprises of the Aworis, Egun, Yoruba and Ogu who are known for their hospitality and famous snack, Ajogun, made from cassava, and best enjoyed with coconut water. Badagry Black Heritage Museum Housed in the former district officer's office building constructed in 1863. Badagry Black Heritage Museum preserves artefacts and records from the slave route that once ran through Badagry. It is funded by the Nigerian Cultural Commission. The collections of objects and historical relics it houses chronicle more than 300 years of the movement of slaves through Lagos. In the early 1500s, slaves were transported from West Africa www.cometonigeria.com
