Gberefu Island

Gberefu Island
Native name: Gberefu
	The two poles slightly slanted towards each other
	Gberefu Island
Geography
Location	Close to Atlantic Ocean
Coordinates	6.417°N 2.883°E
Administration
	Nigeria
State	Lagos State
Local government area	Badagry
Demographics
Ethnic groups	Ewes; Egun;
Additional information
	Gberefu Island was opened as a slave port in 1473.

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 Caribbean and Americas between 1518 and 1880 from the island.[3]

People

GBEREFU ISLAND is headed by two chiefs, all crowned by the same Akran of Badagry Kingdom, and they are; I. Chief Yovoyan (The Duheto of Badagry gbaragada) II. Chief Najeemu(late) (The Numeto of Badagry Gberefu). The Island's first settlers and real landlords are two Ewe communities (villages) under one umbrella, which are Gbaragada, and Kofeganme (Yovoyan).

The Ewes of this Island we're salt merchant and seasoned fisherman from Keta (The KETA'S) around 1734, but majority of them are fishermen and farmers by occupation in the late 18th and early 19th century, although there are other ethnic groups living in the area, which comprises the Egun(Ogu)/Ilajes in one harmony with there landlords.[4][5]

Tourism

The slave routes leads to Point of No Return

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]

Gallery

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.

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[1] Abiose Adelaja (30 August 2014). "Badagry Slave Route faces environmental degradation". Premium Times. Retrieved 12 August 2015.

[2] "Gberefu: Echoes of slaves' footsteps". The Nation. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.

[3] "Black Americans face slave legacy in Nigeria". News24. 30 May 2001. Retrieved 12 August 2015.

[gbere-4] Jeremiah Madaki (7 July 2014). "Gberefu, the Island by 'The Point of No Return'". New Telegraph. Retrieved 12 August 2015.

[5] "Upgrade Our Rural Community Pleads With Governor Sanwolu". P.M. News. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2015.

[6] 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.

[7] 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.