The Point of no return, Gberefu Island, Badagry – the original slave route The Point of No Return is the spot where slaves were shipped to an unknown destination during the colonial slave trade regime. It is located in Gberefu Island which is a few minutes boat ride from the Badagry Marina. Gberefu Island is located in the coastal town of Badagry. A city that shared a border with the Benin Republic via Seme border. The significance of this island cannot be overemphasized as it was a major Slave trade hub in the 20th Century. Badagry is a quiet and beautiful town with lots of history and it is also the home of Gberefu Island Point of No return. The Point of No Return is the original slave route to an unknown destination which is usually Europe or American where they serve as slaves. History of Gberefu island The history of Gberefu island can be dated as far back as 1473 when it was opened as a slave port. Ever since it’s a grand opening, the Point of No return witnessed the influx of thousands of slaves from Africa to different parts of Europe The Gberefu Island is about 5 minutes boat ride from the Badagry Marina which features some of the top tourist attractions within Badagry. The Gberefu Island also known as the Point of no return is an iconic island during the slave trade era. This Island witnessed slaves from different West African countries. A journey to the Point of no Return will bring you up to date with the history of what happened over 400 years ago. You will better understand the history behind slavery and gain more insights into how the slave trade business run. It will also help you appreciate freedom and see the wickedness of humanity towards humanity. Badagry is home to so many tourist destinations and historical sites which can be dated as far back as the days of the colonial and slave trade rule. Journey to the Point of No Return The Journey to the Point of No Return, Gberefu Island, Badagry starts with taking a boat ride from the Badagry Slave Port on the Badagry Marina. The boat ride from the Badagry Slave Port is less than a 5 minutes boat ride to the Gberefu Island port. From The Gberefu jetty, the hiking begins where you will do a fifteen to thirty minutes walk along the original slave route down to the Point of no Return. Along the route is the Attenuation well. This is one of the major attractions of Gberefu Island. The Slavery – The History of Slavery in Gberefu Island The Slave journey usually starts from the Vlekete Slave market where slaves are auctioned. Slaves are usually people that are kidnapped, captured, prisoners or spoils of wars. They are usually bargained and sold to slave masters who then sell them in exchange for guns, umbrella, mirror, canons, ceramic plates and jugs, porcelain, wine, brass, kettles, gin, alcohol etc The Journey usually begins from the Badagry Vlekete Slave market to the Seriki Barracoon where they are kept till the slave masters return to buy more slaves. Once the slave masters arrive and an agreement has been reached, then they take a boat ride across the lagoon to Gberefu Island where they have to walk with heavy chains tied around their necks, waists and legs. This is usually the hardest part of the journey because you could have up to 100 slaves being tied together using a single chain and made to walk long distance. This is done to prevent them from escaping. On the journey to the Point of No Return Lies the attenuation well where they will be forced to take a quick drink. Attenuation Well – Another School of Thought This is usually the final drink before heading into the ship. Legend and history have it that the Attenuation well has magical powers that will make anyone lose their memories when they drink of it. A school of thought explained this is why it is usually difficult for them to revolt or fight the slave masters during the trip since they outnumbered the slave masters since they. Another School of thought claimed the water was probably drugged with a substance that made them inactive during the journey making them weak to even revolt against the slave masters. This is usually because ships could take as high as 700 slaves which are only controlled by about ten to twenty slave masters. Whichever it is it doesn’t take out the fact that the slaves are hypnotized during the trip and then regain consciousness when they get to their final destination. Then they are taken to the Point of No Return where they are shipped off to an unknown destination. Once they get to the destination, they are traded and sold again to farmers and other people who buy them for various purposes. They ended up serving their masters for the rest of their lives. Tour to The Point of No Return Your visit to Badagry will not be complete without visiting the Point of No Return. The journey starts by getting to the Badagry roundabout you will see the Drummer Boy Statue. Drive to the Badagry Marina where the slave Port is located. Then you will take a three minutes boat ride to Gberefu jetty which leads to the Original Slave route. Along the original slave route, lies Attenuation well, which is still in existence today. You get a chance to see the well that has the power to make people lose their memory. After walking down the slave route, you will see the third sign with the inscription, The Original slave route of the Point of No Return. Then you start hearing the splashing of water this means you are finally getting to the point of no return. On walking some few kilometres is the sight is one of the most beautiful architecture welcoming you to the
Olumo Rock – Everything You Need to Know
Olumo rock is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nigeria. It is located in the heart of Abeokuta, Ogun State. Nigeria. The name Olumo can be loosely translated as “under the Rock“. It has become one of the top tourist attractions in Abeokuta. This historical rock has attracted tourists from all works of life. This gigantic mountain could be seen from different corners of Abeokuta city. Abeokuta is the capital of Ogun State. It is an ancient city located in the South West of Nigeria within one hour drive from Lagos. History of Olumo Rock The Olumo Rock is an ancient rock located in Abeokuta which serves as a fortress to the Egba residents during the inter-tribal war around 1800. The rock was discovered by a hunter named Adagba in the 19th Century. The rock was beneficial in helping the Egba’s win the inter-tribal war. It serves as a strategic hideout, a fortress and a vantage point for Egba Warriors. It is not just a tourist attraction, it is a sacred ground, a symbol of freedom, victory, strength and peace. It is an extensive granite rock which covers a huge expanse of land. It sits majestically on the main Olumo Rock Tourist complex giving tourists a panoramic view of the beautiful city. Post Colonial History of Olumo Rock Olumo Rock became a Tourist attraction in 1976 and was later renovated by the Ogun State Government and commissioned by the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. However, in 2006, an extensive renovation was carried out which includes the construction of a glass elevator which has two layers that can convey passengers to the top of the mountain. This renovation and modification gave birth to the new Olumo Rock Tourist Complex. The new complex had additional facilities which include a multi-purpose hall for events, a museum, a garden, a restaurant, a water fountain and a gift shop. Abeokuta Tourist Attraction The Complex has been equipped with modern infrastructure such as the heavy-duty Glass escalator which runs through various sections of the mountain making it easy for tourists to easily get to the top of the mountain. It also serves as a platform for easy movement of people in and out of the mountain. The mountain also has artificial walkways and stairs to aid in climbing the 137 metres mountain. Underneath the mountain lies the burial ground of one of the earliest residents of the Rock who was the right-hand chief of the then King, Chief Sonni Osi-Toko who died on the 23rd January 1956 at the age of 122 years. Meaning of Olumo Rock Olumo Rock can be translated as “What God made” or what God moulded. It is a name given to the rock by its earliest inhabitants because it served as a hideout during the war. Best Time to Visit Olumo Rock The complex opens Mondays through Sundays and on public holidays. You can visit the rock at any time during the year, however, it will be best to visit during the dry season which is usually between August and March. To maximize your visit, you should consider visiting during the month of March which is the month that coincides with the Olumo and Lisabi Festival. Facts about Olumo Rock Tips For Climbing Olumo Rock Fun Things to Do at Olumo Rock Gate Fee to Olumo Rock The entrance fee to Olumo rock varies from Children to adults For Adults 1,000 if you plan to hike or climb your way up the mountain and 2,000 if you are using the escalator. For Children is it 500 Naira per head. If you are using a Professional camera it goes for 300 per individual and if you come as a group it is 1,000 Parking is 200 Facilities at Olumo Rock Tourist Centre Getting Accommodation The complex itself does not have rooms for rent. There are several accommodation options around Olumo Rock. It is, however, important to make a reservation before going. This is because most of the rooms are usually booked during the festive period. The cost of hotels around Abeokuta ranges from 3,000 to 50,000 naira per night. How to Get to Olumo Rock There are different ways to get to Olumo Rock it depends on where you are coming from. You can either go by air, train or road. However, the closest Airport to Olumo Rock is the Murtala International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. From MMA2 you can either take a Taxi, or a bus or book a train ride from a train station to Abeokuta. Location of Olumo Rock Olumo Rock It is located at Ikija Town in Abeokuta, Ogun State Nigeria. Views from the Peak Of Olumo Rock From the top of the Rock, you can see the different landmarks in Abeokuta, some of the landmarks are listed below: Package Tours to Abeokuta Lastly, If you need a packaged tour to Olumo Rock, we offer custom tours, hotel/Airport pick-up. If you want a tour to Abeokuta, which will include the following Other Attractions Close to Olumo Rock