Gberefu Island
Gberefu Island also known as Point of No Return is a populated historical island located in Badagry, a town and local government area of Lagos State, South-Western Nigeria.[1] Symbolized by two poles slightly slanted towards each other and facing the Atlantic Ocean, the island was a major slave port after it was opened in 1473 during the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade era.[2] According to Nigerian historians, as many as 10,000 slaves were believed to have been shipped to the Americas between 1518 and 1880 from the island.[3]
Native name: Gberefu | |
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![]() The two poles slightly slanted towards each other | |
![]() ![]() Gberefu Island | |
Geography | |
Location | Close to Atlantic Ocean |
Coordinates | 6.417°N 2.883°E |
Administration | |
State | Lagos State |
Local government area | Badagry |
Demographics | |
Ethnic groups | |
Additional information | |
Gberefu Island was opened as a slave port in 1473. |
People
Gberefu Island is headed by Two chiefs,all crowned by the same Akran of Badagry Kingdom and they are;-. I.Chief Yovoyan (The Duheto1 Of Badagry Yovoyan) II.Chief Najeemu (The Numeto1 of Badagry Gberefu). The Islands first settlers and real landlords are Two(2) Ewe community(Villages) under one umbrella,which are; KPLAGADA, Kofeganme(Yovoyan),most of which are fishermen and farmers by occupation, although today we have other ethnic groups living in the Daroko area, which comprises the Egun/Ilajes in one harmony with there landlords.[4][5].[4]
Tourism
![](../I/m/lossy-page1-270px-SLAVE_ROUTES%2C_BADAGRY.tif.jpg)
Since Gberefu Island is an historic site, it has attracted several tourists around the world thereby increasing its notability.[6] According to a 2015 statistics released on The Guardian, a total number of 3,634 people visited the island in 6 months.[7]
Bibliography
- Africa Today. Afro Media. 2006.
- Hakeem Ibikunle Tijani (2010). The African diaspora: historical analysis, poetic verses, and pedagogy. Learning Solutions. ISBN 978-0-558-49759-0.
- Tigani E. Ibrahim; Babatope O. Ojo (1992). Badagry, past and present: Aholu-Menu-Toyi 1, Akran of Badagry, reign of peace. Ibro Communications Limited.
References
- Abiose Adelaja (30 August 2014). "Badagry Slave Route faces environmental degradation". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Gberefu: Echoes of slaves' footsteps". The Nation. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Black Americans face slave legacy in Nigeria". News24. 30 May 2001. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- Jeremiah Madaki (7 July 2014). "Gberefu, the Island by 'The Point of No Return'". New Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- "Upgrade Our Rural Community Pleads With Governor Sanwolu". P.M. News. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- Ada Igboanugo (11 August 2002). "Badagry Beach…And Beyond the 'Point of Return'". Thisday. Archived from the original on 13 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- News Agency of Nigeria (6 July 2015). "3,634 tourists visit Point-of-No-Return Island in 6 months — Official". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2015.