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RELIGION
Despite their early intercourse with Christian Tradition religion is very
strong in Badagry and its environs with adherents worshipping regularly at the
various temples. The (Ogu) refer to
God as “Jiwheyewhe” Mawu – Ose” the Traditional religions group
communicated with the Supreme Being through lesser deities such as Ogun (god of
iron) and hevioso (god of thunder).
Apart from the traditional religion, Christianity flourished extensively
and became a very important part of the people’s culture. Islam also was
accepted by some of the people. The
History of Badagry will not be complete without the early history of
Christianity in Nigeria.
In September 1842, Reverend Thomas Birch Freeman and Williams De Graft of
the Methodist Mission preached the gospel of Christ under the famous yet
historic Agia. Tree, followed later
by Reverends Henry Townsend, C.A. Gollmer, and Samuel Ajayi Crowther all of the
C.M.S mission. The Christmas
service in Nigeria was held December 1842.
On
17th July 1984, delegates to the World-wide Anglican Consultative
Council Conference (ACCC) led by his grace.
The Most Rev. & Rt. Hon. Robert A.K. Runice, the Archbishop of
Canterbury and President of the Council paid a courtesy call on His Majesty.
The Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, (OFR), The Akran of Badagry and shared
Christian Fellowship together.
The ancient and historic city of Badagry and its environs (Towns and
Villages) in Badagry area have from time immemorial accommodated the three major
religious groups in the country viz:
1.
Tradition/Indigenous (Agasa-po-he-po)
2.
Christianity and
3.
Islam
Christianity
was first preached at Badagry in Nigeria on September 24th 1842 by
Revd. Thomas Birch Freeman of the Wesleyan (Methodist) Mission.
The three main religious groups have their churches, chapels, mosques and
temples around the nooks and crannies of Badagry area.
Notably
and eminently represented are the following churches.
The Methodist Church Nigeria (Anglican Commission) (CMS). The Roman
Catholic Church Nigerian Baptist Convention, Seventh Day Advents Mission, The
Salvation Army, The Cherubim & Seraphim UAM (Eleja) Mission, The Apostolic
Church, The First African Mission (UNA), The Presbyterian Church, Gospel Baptist
Mission, Kerubu and Serafu Mission, Christ Apostolic Church of Christ, Redeemed
Evangelical Mission (TREM), Deeper Life Bible Mission, Assemblies of God Mission
and a host of others, The Synagogue.
The Islamic Mission: are
equally represented by the Central Mosque, Badagry.
The Ansar-Ur-deen Mission, Ahmadiya Movement –in-Islam, Anwal-Ul-Islam
Movement, Nawair-Udeen Mission. Other
Central Mosques and Compound Mosques abound around Badagry Area.
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