" Badagry Town, Door of Civilization..."

It's hard to think of any other place in Lagos that gives me sweet memories of my exuberant teenage. I was in boarding school, far away from home and loved ones. In the ancient town of Badagry, I had a blast, coupled with several bouts of that adrenaline rush fueled by the constant overdose of teenage testosterone. High school was boot camp.

The town of Badagry is one place that whispers bitter-sweet tales of civilization, adventure and inhumanity.On the other hand, the palms sing ballads of fair mother nature. A town almost unruffled by the character of Lagos itself, Badagry exudes a subtle aura of tranquility and reservedness. Not too long ago, I took a trip down to the Brazilian Barracoon, to see ancient slave trade relics and journey the slave route up to the Point of No Return. I remember, I kept thinking what it must have been like for the slaves; not knowing what was coming to them or how they'd survive the unknown; the heaviness that thought must have brought could have been likened to having six bags of sand piled on one's chest.

Despite all, I still ask myself: why did our own people do that to one another? Why did the chief decide to sell hundreds of his own people in exchange for mirrors, umbrellas and chinaware? Looking at the trend in world politics, governance and economics, has slavery really been abolished or has it only worn another face? With the killing of Ifechukwude by Badagry locals, can we say this barbaric and cannibalistic inhumanity has been fettered for good?

By the way, if you walked down that road in the first picture, in my time, you had a great education. Up BGS.

P.S: This post is dedicated to the memory of my good friend Moses Solesi, who was the 11 year old that stood by me in high school, shared his meals and didn't judge. Continue to Rest in Peace.