Introduction...

Welcome to the traveltourexplore blog, your first stop shop for all you need to know about West Africa. My aim really is to counteract negative depictions that are mostly unsubstantiated and unpleasant, which takes away from the splendour that is 'West Africa'.

To introduce this blog we take a look at a person that played a pivotal role in the history of West Africa, Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther. Ajayi Crowther had an accomplishment story that is slowly and without doubt being mirrored and epitomised by West Africa. Even with a past entwined with slavery, Bishop Ajayi Crowther was opportuned, which paved the way for a fulfilled future.

Born in Osogun (located in Oyo State) in the West of Nigeria, Ajayi Crowther was sold off as a child slave at the age of 12.

He was one of the slaves later freed and sent back to Sierra Leone. (Visit West Africa Discovery for my article on Sierra Leone) In the 1820's he joined the CMS (Church Missionary Society) in Freetown, Sierra Leone where he was to learn English and also convert to Christianity.

He was later to become one of the first students to attend the Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone (the oldest university in the West Africa)He was to become the first African Anglican Bishop of the Anglican Church in 1864.

Before his death in 1891 he translated the English Bible into Yoruba (a language from the West of Nigeria) as well as translations in other languages.

A fond memory at secondary school in Nigeria was the name Ajayi Crowther being used when teasing a friend. You would refer to them as ‘Ajayi’ or ‘Ajayi Crowther’. Ajayi Crowther’s name was used to depict a person who was thought to be ‘over’ eager, ‘extremely’ keen or even ‘over’ enthusiastic or that took extra step. This was in no way used in a derogatory way or used to diminish his role. On the contrary the name was sort of an emphasis/ subconscious respect.To an extent this act of playful childish reference only further highlighted not only his importance in our history but also the importance of Ajayi Crowther in the history of West Africa.

My point here is that although we gave his name a different connotation, the fact is the name and the person no matter what context always played a pivotal role. Bishop Ajayi Crowther had a purpose driven life that depicted his keenness, his eagerness and his enthusiasm and fundamentally the humility of his character. It is on the backdrop of people like Ajayi Crowther that West Africa is shaped on.

With this in mind, this blog will specifically highlight what West Africa is all about, what it has to offer and consequently create an enthusiasm that will bring West Africa to the top of this 'perception' battle.