Crowther Documentary Project is poised to premiere the first of a six-part documentary on Nigerian and west Africa’s first Anglican Bishop, Samuel Ajayi Crowther in February.
Titled ‘Mission To Osoogun’ the 45 minutes documentary takes audience into the hometown and birthplace of Samuel Ajayi Crowther where, the beloved missionary and a dozen others were taken as slaves in 1821.
200 years later, the hometown of the Crowther who spent his lifetime evangelizing and providing education for Nigerians and west Africans, lack good health, education and clean drinking water facilities.
Viewers will be given a tour of the landmark sites in Osoogun connected with the slave trade, and the remnants of the home of Crowther’s parents – now an abandoned corn field.
Kickstarted in 2022, by award-winning travel journalist, Pelu Awofeso and his team, who begun research on the subject in December 2022, and all through 2023. Beyond West Africa (Sierra Leone), Crowther’s trail could be traced from Lagos through, Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, and some parts of southern and northern Nigeria like Anambra, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Niger Delta, and Yola states.
Thus far, the team has covered Crowther’s trail in South West Nigeria, releasing the trailer of the documentary series first part ‘Mission To Osoogun’ which focuses on their “experiences and encounters in Osoogun”.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP eTrain Awofeso disclosed that they are not done shooting the targeted six parts (45 minutes each) of the documentary, as there are more geographical areas to cover. Each part of the documentary will address a different theme/point in Crowther’s life.
To navigate the funding challenges of the project, Awofeso had set up a Crowdfunding account where financial aid from supporters both from within and outside the country, in addition to his personal funds flowed in to make this first episode a reality.
“Our aim with the ‘Mission To Osoogun’ is to show the public what we have done so far. We will also continuously update them via our social media. We have done Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states. We need to get to Kogi, Anambra and Yola, Bonny Island, Rivers State. Igbo land and Niger Delta, and a little into the north, in Yola. And if we can, we can get to Sierra Leone.
“The plan is to premiere ‘Mission To Osoogun’ in February, but we are still discussing with our consultant,” said Awofeso.
