Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward making the State a tourism station in the world in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda.
Receiving the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who led a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora for a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja on Monday, Sanwo-Olu said that his government is intentional about making the state, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination.
The delegation included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr., son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey, and the Jogbe of Badagry kingdom, David Anderson.
The delegation visited Sanwo-Olu to appreciate him and the state government for a successful celebration of this year’s edition of the Diaspora Festival, dubbed, Door of Return in Badagry.
The Door of Return, initiated to help some Black Diasporas trace their roots to Nigeria and Africa at large, was celebrated last Saturday in the ancient city of Badagry, Lagos.
During the courtesy visit, the governor said that his administration will partner with relevant stakeholders, especially the people in the Diaspora to grow and strengthen the Door of Return festival and promote the cultural heritage of Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Sanwo-Olu also commended Dabiri-Erewa for the initiative of the Door of Return and her efforts in championing the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Earlier, Dabiri-Erewa commended Sanwo-Olu for his support towards the celebration of Door of Return and the actualisation of the Diaspora Festival that took place in Badagry last Saturday.
The NiDCOM boss urged the Lagos State government to support the project by building a Permanent Door of Return in Badagry to attract more people in the Diaspora willing to trace their roots to Nigeria.
Garvey Jnr. and Anderson, hailed Sanwo-Olu and the state government for their tremendous support for the festival and for showing keen interest in tourism.
They also expressed their joy for the success of the Door of Return Programme, which gave opportunities to many Nigerians in the Diaspora to visit Nigeria for the first time
Garvey Jnr. and Anderson, who promised to partner with the state on tourism, expressed their continued support to preserve African culture and heritage.
