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 portraits. It has become sorrow in our hearts.
There's something significant about the name "Point Of No Return" and the Badagry Tour Guides had unconsciously changed the name of the historical site to The Point Of Return many years back because escursionists and tourists often times are afraid of the name and will ask, "would we return", and the guide will answer "yes".
Prayers had been made for a positive turn around in Badagry but the destiny of the town is tied to Gberefu because the light from Gberefu will overshadow the town.
In March 2017, during the pilgrimage by many African Americans, the Nigerian church leaders decided that this place was so significant, they wanted to change the name. It was a priviledge for me to be a part of the team as we all repented on behalf of "some" of our ancestors that collaborated with European enslavers and asked for forgiveness from our African American brothers and sisters who represented Africa Diaspora. We all circled and held each others hands, and Rev. Peter Egho, the Nigeria Director for Imani Bridges, led everyone in prayer and renamed that place, THE POINT OF RETURN without knowledge that the name was already unconsciously used. The moment was magical and moved everyone to tears. And two major miracle occured, identity breakthrough and the releasing of the curse on the land because the enslaved looked back from aboard the slave ship to the town that had betrayed them, and cursed Badagry. Some cursed the land even in the Baracoon as they were engulped in pain and sorrow.
In October 2017, during the Badagry Diaspora Festival, Dr. David A. Anderson, the founder and president of Gracism Global also renamed The Point Of No Return and called it "The Joy Of Return".
The nefarious historical experiences of old is displayed in a new form. Must history repeat itself? We envisioned a befiting monument in remembrance of the enslaved ancestors that walked on the slave route Gberefu-Badagry from where they were shipped away to the Americas. Honestly, the architectural design of the Point Of Return Gallery (PORG) monument at the Gberefu seaside "was" a world class master piece.
Anyway, the monument was never commissioned because there seems to have been a problem between the government ministries in charge and the construction company.
The Lagos State government was not satisfied with the materials used as at the time it was said to have been completed. As a result of this, it was not commissioned. Today, the condition of the monument at Gberefu Point of No Return Badagry, really proves the construction company wrong and justifies the complain of the ministry as it couldn't withstand the test of time.
However, my concern is the neglect and looming disaster that can ensue if the structure collapses. I usually discourage tourists from sitting down underneath the massive structure. It provides shades but i am afraid of it collapsing. Visitors should be restricted from entering or walking on the staircase and should be prevented from sitting under it's shade.
In this modern age, engineers use the efficient techniques of 'mix and match' to come up with the best construction material and build high-quality structures. The Lagos State ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture must attend to the issue at hand as it is a state of emergency.
This is a wake up call to the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infastructure, Ministry of Finance, and the ministry of the environment. In October 2023, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu reiterated his commitment to the upliftment of Badagry. He made mention of his administrations determination to "harness Badagry's tourism and growth potentials through the provision of adequate infrastructures". The Special Adviser to the Governor Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Adekunle Olayinka disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of some projects.
It will be a sense of ungratefulness if the Lagos State government is not appreciated for the completion and continuation of some of it's projects in the Badagry division especially "road" as a major strategic infrastructure for this administration.