By: Manoah Kikekon
(Badagry, Lagos – May 2024) – Badagry Radio has officially unveiled plans for its landmark Growth Conference Badagry 1.0 and the Badagry Community Service Awards (BCSA’25).
The announcement was made during a well-attended press briefing held on Saturday, marking the station's 6th anniversary and setting the stage for what organizers call a "new chapter" for the historic coastal community.
The event served as a powerful convergence of thought leadership and media, bringing together key influencers from across the region. Prominent media houses including De Voice Newspaper, Badagry Prime, Badagry Today, and News Peddlers were in attendance, alongside a diverse array of social commentators, community leaders, and cultural enthusiasts. This gathering underscored the broad-based support for the initiatives aimed at reshaping Badagry's future.
Whejiepon Anthony Ola, Director of Badagry Radio and chief organizer, delivered a briefing. He firmly stated that the dual events are far more than an anniversary celebration; they are a strategic call to action.
"This is a pivotal moment to reposition Badagry for global influence," Whejiepon said, framing the conference as a crucial platform for actionable dialogue among the town’s brightest minds.
The Growth Conference Badagry 1.0 is organised on the theme: “The Spirit of Badagry, The Pride of Africa; Charting a Path from Heritage to Global Influence.” The agenda is designed to tackle critical areas such as youth empowerment, tourism development, technological innovation, and the preservation of Badagry’s rich cultural heritage. The conference aims to translate the town's historical significance into a blueprint for future economic and social prosperity.
Complementing the conference is the Badagry Community Service Awards (BCSA’25), which seeks to recognize and honour the unsung heroes whose selfless contributions have fostered community growth. Mr. Whejiepon emphasized that spotlighting these individuals and organizations is essential to inspire a wider culture of service and philanthropy within the community, creating a ripple effect of positive development.
Mr. Whejiepon passionately appealed to traditional rulers, political representatives, and private sector partners to adopt the initiative as a collective project.
Ovi Kiponu, publisher of De Voice Newspaper, who highlighted that a lack of collaborative spirit has historically hindered Badagry's progress. "The youths need to get additional professions to being a politician," Kiponu advised, stressing the need for diversified skills and united efforts for sustainable development.
The briefing concluded with a unified voice from all stakeholders, including Hon. Ashade Ayeleru, Mr. Gafar Awesu, and Comr. Kiki Augustine, who reinforced the urgent need for support.