It is Friday again, and our kids are probably counting down to where mummy will be taking them this weekend. This week will be taking you to some of the tourism sites in Lagos. It’s all a part of taking our children back to their roots and educating them about historical events that directly address their present day situation (refer to post 5 ways to teach children about their roots). Fasten your seat belts and lets go for a spin round Lagos!
Badagry
Founded in the early 15th century on a lagoon off the Gulf of Guinea, its protected harbour led to the town becoming a key port in the export of slaves to the Americas, which were mainly to Salvador, Bahia in Brazil. From the 1840s, following the suppression of the slave trade, Badagry declined significantly but became a major site of Christian mission work. In 1863, the town was annexed by the United Kingdom and incorporated into the Lagos colony. In 1901, it became a part of Nigeria. Badagry subsists largely on fishing and agriculture and maintains a small museum of slavery. This is the first storey building in Nigeria, overlooking the Marina waterfront. It was built in 1842 by the missionaries.
The Badagry Black Heritage Museum housed in the former district officer’s office built in 1863, holds hundreds of artifacts and historical relics that chronicle more than 300 years of the movement of slaves through Lagos. From the early 1500s, Badagry was one of many trading and transport areas in West Africa for slaves being shipped off to America—it is estimated that roughly 550,000 African slaves passed through this area. Perfect choice of tourism and history!
Freedom Park, Lagos
It represents a journey towards the greater goal; the triumph of humanity over all forms of tyranny, both political and social and the ultimate liberation of the human spirit from all that seeks to confine it.
The new FREEDOM PARK Lagos, formerly Old Broad Street Prison; (a colonial instrument of control and oppression) is now a peaceful place for individual and collective contemplation and interaction. Dedicated to our Heroes past….
Freedom Park is a Memorial and Leisure Park dedicated to the preserving the Lagos colonial heritage and history of the Old Board Street prison. The park provides venues and the grounds for events and recreational entertainment,with relevant facilities like Open Air Stage, Amphi-theatre, Pergola Cell (internet booths), Skeletal Cells, Food Court, Ponds and Fountains, Historical Statues, Museum Complex, Historical displays, Souvenir shops, Resource centre, Courtyard, Cells Units, Wole Soyinka Art Gallery
Iga Idungaran (Oba’s Palace)
The palatial residence of the local monarch, the Oba of Lagos. Located to the North of Lagos Island, on Upper King Street, this magnificent building dates back to 300 years ago. Iga Idungaran is the Oba’s Palace for Lagos Monarch. The newly renovated palace combine modern architectural show-piece and ancient Yoruba artifacts. Historic moments and monuments of Lagos tradition is available at the palace. Iga Idungaran is one of the most important historical sites in Lagos and is the official residence for the Oba of Lagos. An important part of the structure was built by the Portuguese in 1705. The building has been expanded and renovated in stages to keep it in good condition. Tourists who want to explore the palace can ask the Secretary of the Oba of Lagos for permission
Iga Idungaran is one of the most important historical sites in Lagos and is the official residence for the Oba of Lagos. An important part of the structure was built by the Portuguese in 1705. The building has been expanded and renovated in stages to keep it in good condition. Tourists who want to explore the palace can ask the Secretary of the Oba of Lagos for permission
National Museum, Lagos
The National Museum Lagos is now over fifty years old, having been established just before Nigeria achieved full independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. It has one of the most significant collections of West African antiquities in the world. Lord Cultural Resources was asked by the Ford Foundation to facilitate a retreat for the National Museum to identify the vision for a revitalized museum in terms of its role and impact in Nigeria, West Africa and the world at large.
Tafawa Balewa Square
Named for Nigeria’s first prime minister, this is Lagos’ commercial heart and has some remarkable monuments. They include statues of gargantuan horses, the Remembrance Arcade (with memorials to WWI, WWII and civil-war victims) and the 26-storey Independence House, built in 1963. Today TBS is venue for everything from wedding receptions, to gospel concerts and fairs.
People tend to think that tourism can only occur when you leave Lagos! You can get a fair dose of it right here. Stay tuned for more adventure. See you next week.
References: Nairaland,
