… As Minister Promises Increased Support
The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John was, on Wednesday, received by top lawmakers, government functionaries, traditional rulers and tourism practitioners on a working visit to Badagry, aimed at invigorating tourism development in the historic town.
The Honourable Minister’s visit to Badagry was facilitated by the Member of the House of Representatives, representing Badagry, Hon. Sesi Whingah as part of efforts to unlock Badagry’s full Tourism potential to empower local communities, preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism practices.
Mrs. Lola Ade-John and members of her entourage were received by the Chairman of Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Permanent Secretary, Oloruntoyin Atekoja, the Council Chairmen of Badagry West LCDA and Badagry Local Government, among others.
During the visit of the Honourable Minister to the Palace of the Traditional Ruler of Badagry, the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu Toyi I, her first port of call, the Minister expressed the government’s dedication to providing increased support and resources to unlock Badagry’s tourism potential.
She acknowledged Badagry’s resilience and its role in the transatlantic slave trade which till today, serves as a beacon of remembrance of those who endured unimaginable suffering at that time.
Ade-John said her visit to Badagry will showcase Badagry’s tourism potential to the world while also fostering partnerships between the Federal Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders in this region.
She said, “We recognise the untapped opportunities within these grounds, opportunities promising economic prosperity, cultural exchange and sustainable development. As we traverse the pathways of history, we’ll visit key landmarks bearing witness to Badagry’s storied past”.
The Minister reiterated the importance of collaboration between government, private sector players, and local communities to attract more tourists to the town. She, therefore, pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to implement targeted interventions aimed at enhancing Badagry’s appeal as a premier tourist destination.
In his remarks, Hon. Whingah said that he facilitated the coming of the Minister and other stakeholders to Badagry to show them what Badagry has beyond what they must have been told about the ancient town, stressing that there was no way one could talk about Nigeria’s history without mentioning Badagry.
“The coming of the Honourable Minister and her entourage is to see how they can help us facilitate investment to Badagry and also be an instrument of development to this ancient town. We have so many tourist attractions in Badagry, and I believe that the only way to showcase this is by bringing visitors to see them”, he said.
On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture Honourable Solomon Bonu thanked the Minister for accepting the invitation to visit the ancient town. He said that she must have noticed a lot of things to be done on her way to the town, imploring her to call the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to all these for the development of Badagry
The Akran of Badagry warmly welcomed the Minister to his Palace and prayed that God would continue to give President Bola Tinubu wisdom and knowledge to rule the country, just as he urged the Minister to help in developing Badagry’s tourism potential.
The Chairman of Badagry Local Government Area, Mr. Olusegun Onilude said the town had a lot of tourism potential to show the world, which can be made possible through the Federal Government’s support
Also speaking, the President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Abiodun Hundeyin noted that despite Badagry’s numerous attractions and offerings, the town is confronted with significant challenges hindering the growth and development of the town’s hospitality sector.
He lamented the issue of the proliferation of unnecessary roadblocks and security checkpoints throughout the Badagry corridor, which, according to him, discourage tourists and visitors from visiting tourist sites in the area.
The Minister and her entourage later visited the Velekete Slave Market, the first-storey building in the country, Agia tree and other tourist sites in Badagry to know the true state of the tourism assets.
