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BADAGRY MONUMENT AT GBEREFU: THE TOLERATED DISASTER By Anago Osho

The title of the article may seem undesiring but it's the candid physical existence at Gberefu, a community in Badagry that is also known Internationally as the "Slave Point Of No Return" but today, it is also known by pragmatic names such as the "Joy Of Return" and "Point Of Return" respectively.  Truly, the historical antecedent of Gberefu, the "Slave Point Of No Return Badagry" was characterized by despair experienced by enslaved ancestors but the slave route and the historical seabeach at Gberefu, where the journey to unknown destinations took place and the Point Of Return Gallery (PORG) Monument have become a spiritual connection and Point Of Return for Africa Diaspora and historical route for both domestic and international tourists. The scenery at this historical site has become pathetic and the monument that we nicknamed the "Point Of Return Gallery" (PORG) has become an excreter on our feets. It has become an eyesore in our...

UNACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR THE TOURISTS BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON THE LAGOS LAGOON IN BADAGRY By Anago-Osho

An incident occurred when some international visitors were stopped at Badagry on the Lagos lagoon on their way from Lagos Island to experience Badagry. The officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at that location who  stopped the visitors said that visitors in a country can not visit tourist sites with a business visa. It was also sad that the immigration officers refused to acknowledge the visa, bio data and passport shown to them by some of the tourists from their phones, the officers eagerly said that they only operate manually. We told them that technology has made things easy and they can get any confirmation they seek. We told them that it wasn't easy to convince these visitors to visit or do business in Nigeria.  Their reaction was unprofessional and a national embarrassment. They flaunted handcuffs to further intimidate the visitors. We market and promote Nigeria as an international tourist destination and it had not been easy. The immigration officers intimidation...

European holding an umbrella over the head of an African chief By Anago-Osho

This is a thought provoking image on the wall of a shrine at Warakoh quarters, in the compound of Chief Fihento of Badagry, which depicts a European holding an umbrella over the head of an African chief, who is smoking tobacco from a pipe. This image is significant for several reasons. It's a symbol of wealth and importance. The umbrella and tobacco pipe signify the chief's wealth and status. It highlights the rich cultural heritage and social structures of African kingdoms. The image also reveals the complex dynamics between European colonizers and African chiefs. The European colonizers befriended the African chiefs to achieve their imperial goals, which ultimately led to the destruction of African community structures. The image is also a testimony to Africa's powerful kingdoms. It serves as a powerful reminder of Africa's rich history and the strength of its kingdoms. I am bringing this to the fore to encourage Africans to reclaim their heritage and look beyond pove...

ARE NIGERIA IMMIGRATION OFFICERS A HINDRANCE TO MULTI-DESTINATION TRAVEL TREND? By Anago-Osho

There's a significant shift in travel behavior post-COVID-19. This was driven by the increasing costs of travel. This trend is often referred to as "multi-destination travel" or "hub-and-spoke travel". It involves visiting multiple destination in a single trip to maximize value and minimize costs. In the frame of reference of West Africa, travellers are now combining visits to nearby countries, such as Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, and Togo, with a stop over in Nigeria. This idea allows travellers to experience multiple cultures, landscapes, and attractions while reducing overall travel expenses. However, entering Nigeria through land borders can be challenging and frustrating experience. The lengthy processing times, and corruption are some of the plague affecting border crossing into Nigeria.  The important position of the Immigration authourity in any country is key to the development of domestic tourism and especially inbound tourism. There sho...

THE DEFAMATION OF EFUNROYE TINUBU'S LEGACY: A REPENTED SLAVE TRADER BY Anago Osho

Madam Efunroye Tinubu's legacy is indeed complex, reflecting the nuanced history of Africa during the colonial era. Initially, she was a slave trader, leveraging her connections with Europeans and royalties to trade slaves, gunpowder, palm oil, and other goods. However, after encountering former slave returnees from the Americas who shared their horrific experiences, she underwent a significant transformation. These returnees, bearing slave branding on their bodies, exposed Tinubu to the atrocities of slavery, prompting her to shift allegiance and support African resistance against European colonizers. Her resistance involved supplying gunpowder and ammunition to Africans in the hinterland, ultimately leading to her expulsion from Lagos. Madam Tinubu's actions against European interests were likely viewed as a threat, resulting in her banishment to Badagry, where she lost two sons to malaria, and later Abeokuta, where she died in 1887. The misrepresentation of Madam Tinubu'...