Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward making the state a preferred tourism destination in the world in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda.
According to Sanwo-Olu, his government is intentional about making Lagos State, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination.
He spoke on Monday while receiving the Chairman and 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.
The delegation included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr., son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey, and the Jogbe of Badagry kingdom, David Anderson, among others.
The delegation visited Sanwo-Olu to thank him and the Lagos 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.
Speaking during the courtesy visit, Sanwo-Olu said 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.
The governor also commended Dabiri-Erewa for the initiative of the Door of Return and her efforts in championing the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Speaking earlier, the NIDCOM boss hailed 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.
She 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, Garvey and Anderson hailed the Lagos governor 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
The duo, who promised to partner with Lagos State on tourism, expressed their continued support to preserve African culture and heritage.
