From Akran Palace to the Suntan Beach Resort : An expedition of visiting historical and archival records, learning and relaxation.

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With respect to the ongoing 11th all-African university games (FASU), co-hosted by LASU and UNILAG in Lagos, Nigeria, the management of Lagos State University organized a tour for all delegates from Africa and the ones from other states in Nigeria.

The ancient town of Badagry was the central location as it houses the long pre-history of Nigeria, showcases a tapestry of our cultural heritage, displays our rich, vibrant and unique material culture and artifacts, chants of the evolution of our norms and traditions, echoes tales of pre-colonial Nigeria and Africa and whispers our resilience as a people to uphold our beliefs despite the adversity.

In the early hours of September 28, 2024, the tourism committee ably led by the chairman, who is also the Dean of School of Tourism, Arts and film Production in Lagos State University, Professor Tunji Azeez and the Vice Chairman, Professor Setonji, in conjunction with the volunteers, saw to the organization of every delegates getting on the bus and officially set out for the trip afterwards.
The first place visited was the Akran Palace where everyone was warmly received and welcomed by Chief Senu Amosun who represented the Akran of Badagry.
He commended everyone for the veneration and paying of homage they have come to give the Akran. He further shared brief and valuable insights into the rich history of Badagry and also officially welcomed everyone to the ancient city of Badagry. Afterwards, he gave his blessings and the visit ended with a presentation of gifts to the Akran as a token of appreciation for their reception. Professor Tunji Azeez thanked and appreciated them for their hospitality.

The journey continued as the Badagry Slave Market Museum International was the next point of visit. The knowledge of the tourists was greatly enriched and their experience enlightened, as they were taken back to the history of slavery and slave trade in Nigeria and Africa.
The story of the Vlekete trade, the dungeon that housed the slaves, the portraits and the statues further contributed to the overall experience. The journey further continued and along the way, historic sites like the first primary school in Nigeria, the first missionary church in Nigeria, the first storey building in Nigeria and the point of no return were all seen. 

To further enrich the experience of the tourists, the Mobee Royal Palace was visited in which they were warmly received by Chief Ambassador Patrick Yedenu Mobee of Badagry. 

The Mobee meseum was visited for another moment of slave history in Nigeria. This brought about a moment of reflection and several rhetorical questions asked, as they got to understand our roots as Africans. 

The visit to the Mobee museum came to an end and in like manner, a gift serving as a token of appreciation was presented to Chief Mobee.

After long hours of touring in Badagry, the tour wrapped up with a moment of relaxation and refreshment at the Suntan beach resort. The soothing and temperate air, the tall coconut trees, the wide, pure and raging ocean, the sand beach and the enjoyment of coconut all contributed to the fun and relaxing moment.

Tourism, being an integral and indispensable part of the delegates’ experience at the FASU Games greatly enriched the experience of the tourists as substantial and experiential knowledge about Nigerian heritage and culture was acquired, beautiful and historic sites were seen, tales of our resilient past was told and our uniqueness and peculiarities as Africans in spite of slight diversity was honored. It was indeed an indelible, notable and remarkable experience. 

The tourists were conveyed back to Lagos State University after the day’s journey