Journalist Pelu Awofeso has unveiled the trailer for Mission to Osoogun, a documentary detailing the life of Ajayi Crowther, the first African Anglican bishop of West Africa.
Awofeso, who directed and wrote the film, released the trailer on Youtube on Friday.
The documentary chronicles Crowther’s journey, beginning in 1821 when at the age of 12 he and his family were captured by Fulani slave raiders and sold to Portuguese traders.
It follows his transformation from a captive to a respected clergyman and his remarkable ascent to the bishopric.
In a statement, Awofeso shared how the documentary came to life.
“In June 2022, our team journeyed to Osoogun, the birthplace of Samuel Ajayi Crowther, where he and many others were taken as slaves. The Baale of Osoogun and local elders guided us through the historical landmarks connected to that tragic day,” he said.
He continued, “We also visited Crowther’s family home, which is now in ruins. The once-thriving community of 12,000 people, enclosed by walls and five gates, is now a desolate field of corn. This stark contrast forms the focus of the first episode of our documentary series, titled Mission to Osoogun.”
Awofeso emphasised the importance of telling Crowther’s story. “Bishop Crowther’s life is one of inspiration. His story is one that deserves to be told, as historical figures like him embody values that are essential for both present and future generations—not just in Africa but globally,” he noted.
He also highlighted the significance of January 17 in Crowther’s life, saying, “Today, January 17, marks an important milestone in Crowther’s life. It was on this day in 1845 that the 36-year-old Crowther, alongside his family and other missionaries, arrived in Badagry to begin his lifelong commitment to missionary work and service to humanity.”
Pelu Awofeso is an award-winning journalist, recognised with the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist Award for Tourism Reporting in 2010.
In 2017, he was named Nigeria’s best tour guide at the Nigeria Tourism Awards and in 2019, he received the Best Travel Journalist award.
Mission to Osoogun is his fourth documentary project.
