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Its Ridiculous Nigerian Christians Don’t Know Christmas Started In Badagry – Sanwo-Olu’s Former Aide Decries

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The immediate past Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Solomon Bonu has revealed that he finds it ridiculous that Christians in Nigeria did not know that Christmas was first observed in Badagry.

Bonu, who is the organiser of a four-day event tagged “Christmas in Badagry Since 1842″ said a place called Agia Tree in Badagry was where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria and celebration of Christmas followed, Naija News gathered.

According to him, the four-day programme which commenced on Christmas day and ended on 28 December was to bring together Christians from all parts of the country to celebrate the 180 years of Christmas in Badagry.

The Lagos governor’s former aide explained that “Here in Badagry, we have a place called Agia Tree, that is where Christianity was first preached in Nigeria and celebration of Christmas followed.

“We just thought of it that there is a need to gather people together to celebrate Christmas in Badagry with lots of interesting events lined up for their enjoyment.

“We started the programme on Dec.24 with Christmas Parade with many people with Christmas clothes, singing and dancing to announce the beginning of the event.

“The second day was an Old School Night, where Christians dressed in old School attires and gathered at Atah junction, a popular roundabout in Badagry to enjoy themselves.

“On the third day, different Christian families gathered at Badagry Theatre to enjoy a movie about Badagry, the coastal town.

“Today, we have brought notable gospel singers both local and international for the enjoyment of Christmas.

“We have Deborah Osaba, Bisi Emmanuel, Saint Banky from Nigeria and Johnny Sourou from the Republic of Benin and a host of others for their enjoyment.”

Bonu also disclosed that the event which witnessed a series of interesting activities would be continued by tracing the origin of missionaries that came to preach Christianity in Nigeria from the United Kingdom.

He submitted that “The event will continue next year, we are going to the United Kingdom to trace the origin of the missionaries that came to Badagry.

“We will locate their descendants and bring them to Badagry to celebrate Christmas with us, they brought us.

“If you are a Christian, why go to Jerusalem to waste your money instead of visiting Badagry.”

Also giving her take was one of the programme’s coordinators, Bisi Onala who added that “Christmas was celebrated in Badagry 180 years ago and we want the world to know that Christianity came to Nigeria through Badagry.

“Badagry is a symbol of unity and we want to spread the love to the world.”