Badagry, founded around 1425A.D is populated by the Ogu
people (erroneously called Egun) who migrated from Gold Coast (now Ghana),
Dahomey ( now republic of Benin), Togo and Awori, a Yoruba speaking race, thus
making the town a bicultural community. In view of the strategic location,
Badagry had at different times played different roles of socio-economic
importance in the course of it history. It was a frontier state sharing border
with the ancient kingdom of Dahomey and Port-Novo before creation of
international boundaries in 1855. It was an important southern terminus during
the trans Saharan trade.
Badagry which is often referred to in history books as ‘Slave
coast’ is unarguably among the frontier ‘states’ that suffered the historical tragedy
of slave trade-according to historical account, Badagry was a major slave port
in west Africa second only to Goree Island Senegal. At its height, Badagry
account for three(3) out ten (10) slaves taken out of African region. In
addition, it was a major market, a trading entry port and a commercial centre
serving Aja and Yoruba countries. As a coastal town, it was a main port serving
the Yoruba hinterland up to the second half of the 19th Century.
Badagry was the first base of Christian missionary in modern Nigeria as the
first port of call of the explorers and the colonialists. All these made the
town to be of great importance to the historical development of Nigeria
hinterland. Even today, inspite of its proximity to Lagos, it still maintains a
recognizable position. It still remains the administrative headquarters of the
division in the state.
His Majesty De-Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1 in a Royal Chariot during Badagry festival.
His Majesty De-Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1 Paramount ruler of Badagry division, Lagos-State.
The town is blessed with every attributes that evoke
nostalgia for the past, such as we have in some of the old empires in Nigeria
like the Oyo, Benin, Bornu, Ife respectively not forgetting Kano and Sokoto the
seat of the caliphate. Just like in these ancient cities Badagry still has
within its confines those aircraft, historical relics and monuments coupled
with rich cultural heritage. The main town, the ancient town of Badagry is
divided into eight (8) quarters namely; Jegba, Ahovikoh, Awhanjigoh,
Boekoh,known as European quarters, Whlakoh, Asago, Posukoh and Ganho. De Wheno
Aholu (the king) comes from Jegba quarters while each of the remaining seven
quarters is represented by a white capped traditional chief. The adjorning
villages of the mainland and Isand of Badagry are represented by district heads
known as Togan or village head. It must be noted that the people who migrated
and occupied some of these villages now have their kings but the Akran is the
paramount ruler of Badagry division.
Aside from this His Majesty De-Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi 1 is
regarded as the paramount ruler of Ogu speaking people of Nigeria. There has
been fourteen Akran since the 15th century from Wheno Aholu Gbafoe
(1425) to Menu who signed the treaty abolishing slave trade in 1852 down to the
present De-wheno Aholu Toyi. The adjorning villages and districts in the
mainland and Island of Badagry which are been administered by kings or bales
are in excess of seventy (70); prominent among them are: Ajido, Akarakumo,
Mowo, Ilogbo Ibereko, Ikoga, Pota Ajara, Apa, Ipara, Kwemeh, Agorin, Ganyingbo,
Aradagun, Epe. Iworo, Itohun, Gberefu, Gethrome, Araromi, Iyafin, Fanuvi, Sapo,
Mosafejo and so many others.
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