Easter: Tourists troop out to tour sites in Badagry

Tourists from different parts of the country on Sunday visited various tourist sites and museums in Badagry as part of activities marking the Easter celebrations, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that Christians from Nigeria joined their counterparts from the rest of the world to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after he was crucified on Good Friday.

Ahead of this celebration, most Christians had observed a 40-day season of lent when they restrained themselves from sins and other worldly vices, rather they involved themselves in charity, penance, prayer and fasting throughout the period that ended on Holy Saturday.

Also, the Federal Government had declared May 25 (Good Friday) and May 28 (Easter Monday) as public holidays for Nigerians to celebration the Easter season.

A correspondent of NAN who visited the Badagry Heritage Museum, the first storey building, Seriki Abass Museum and the slave market observed several tourists and revellers there.

Mr Olumide Adebayo who came to see the first storey building in Nigeria located in Badagry, noted that the Easter holiday had afforded him the opportunity to see the historic building.

“I have heard so much about the first storey building in Nigeria but I have not had the time to visit the place until now.

“The holiday has given me that opportunity and I’m overwhelmed with what I have seen here today.

“Everything has been preserved so that the building can continue to retain its originality and I’m happy to see such a wonderful and historic building” he said.

Mrs Seyitan Badejo who visited the Seriki Abass Museum in Badagry could not contain her excitement of what she saw.

“I was lost for words when I saw one of the rooms that the slaves stayed-in back in the days.

“Seeing the rooms, the marks on the walls, the chains of the slaves and other things, made me lost for words.

“These are memories I’m going to cherish forever” she said.

Also, Mrs Funmi Akano who came with her three sons, expressed her pleasure at visiting the Point-of no-return site.

“My sons and I were so amused with what we saw at the Point-of-no-return site.

“I’m really amased with the monuments and tourist sites in Badagry and I will definitely be here the next time I have the chance.”

A tour guide, Mr Anago James, said that no fewer than 157 tourists had visited the site, adding that he was still expecting more.