This was a great experience in getting to know our history and how our ancestors were transported during the transatlantic slave trade. Taking a walk down the Gberefu island to the point of no return was quite surreal as it gives a very bright picture of the pains and trauma of Slavery in Nigeria. What makes the trip so much better is the very detailed description of the slave trade process by our tour guide putting life to every historical landmark as we walked down the island. The island is a place to visit for every lover of history.
This place is having a great history of slavery but its not preserved well and it can be an tourist place if government can spend money. The place is inside Badagry. Its on seashore. No arrangement for stay or food or any kind of relaxation. No security. Families are not advisable to go alone.Gberefu island is a nature beauty, but behind the beauty of this island lies an ugly past. This island was once a slavers bay and a sailing point where thousands of black Africans where shipped out. Those who have appreciable knowledge of history about the trans-Atlantic slave would know the importance of this island.
Gberefu island was the gateway where thousands of Africa slaves most especially around the Bright of Benin where transported in chains out of Africa never to return to their fatherland. Many people lost their lives been transported to the New World in ships where they were packed together in tight prison space. Those who died on this gruesome journey where thrown into the sea to become food for the creatures of the sea.
A visit to Gberefu island takes you on a journey to the past to have a feel of what Africans went through. A first stop is the Seriki Faremi Williams Abass slave museum, where visitors are taking round the slave cell. From there, visitors board boats following the same route that take them straight to Gberefu island. A walk from the jetty following the same route the slaves where made to follow lead you first to the Well of Attenuation, this well is believe to wipe the memory of slaves before they are taking to the beach (Point of No Return) to board ships that take them to far away foreign land across the Atlantic.
