Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Monday reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of tourism in the state.
Also, in line with his government’s THEME Plus agenda, Sanwo-Olu added that the state has a deliberate template that would transform the State, especially the Badagry axis with its significance to the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, into a major world tourist destination of the world.
Sanwo-Olu was speaking while playing host to a delegation of stakeholders led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who came to show appreciation for his support towards the success of the 2023 edition of the Diaspora Festival, dubbed, ‘Door of Return’, which ended Saturday in Badagry.
As contained in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu also said his administration will partner with relevant stakeholders, especially the people in the Diaspora, to grow and strengthen the annual festival initiated “to help some Black Diasporas trace their roots to Nigeria and Africa at large.
The delegation on the courtesy visit to the governor also included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr., son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey, and the Jogbe of Badagry kingdom, David Anderson, among others.
While addressing his visitors, governor Sanwo-Olu, commended the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for the initiative of the Door of Return and her efforts in championing the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa had earlier commended Governor 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.
Also speaking, Julius Garvey and David Anderson, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos 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 and Anderson, who promised to partner with Lagos State on tourism, expressed their continued support to preserve African culture and heritage.
