DIASPORA FESTIVAL BADAGRY: Lagos Set to Welcome Diasporans Back Home (August 23-25)

The 2017 Diaspora Badagry Festival themed the Voyage to Heritage, is set to come to a spectacular highlight this year, as it will feature a very symbolic and emotional ceremony tagged, ‘Door of Return ceremony’. This event is very significant because for the first time, a door of return is opened for the Diasporans whose ancestors were historically taken away as slaves, through the point of no return in Badagry several years ago.

The festival will be a fun filled and educative 3- day event organized jointly by the African Renaissance Foundation, Agile Communications Limited in partnership with the Lagos State Government and the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora. The event is slated to hold from the 23rd to 25th of August, while the upcoming weeks will witness a roll out of promotional activities introducing the lineup of events which include: Carnival Procession, Boat Regatta, Fishing competition, Dark Era Procession, Diaspora Dinner, Beauty Pageant, Fashion Show, Cultural displays, Heritage Visits, Heritage Night, The Festival Market, International Music Concert, and other fun and exciting activities.

The Campaign had kicked off with a logo launch on the 13th of June, at the Baguda Kaltho Press Centre Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, and saw the presence of Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa alongside the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Overseas and Investments, Prof. Ademola Abass.

Speaking on the event, Hon. Abike had this to say, ‘After attending past editions of this event, it is evident that with consistency and the support of the government and respective organizations, this would eventually be the biggest cultural event to come out of Africa. She further expressed her delight at the concept of the door of return, celebrating the return of Diasporans and their connection to homeland, as well as the platform to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and Nigeria to the world, will definitely enhance tourism.

On his part, Prof. Abass stated that he was very impressed by the standard of the festival and explained that this festival presented a unique opportunity for Diasporans and locals to revel history in a remarkable setting. He especially emphasized on the fact that the event tallies with the objectives of Lagos State, which include tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the agenda to bring Badagry to fore as a tourism hub in Africa. He finally noted that the festival would be a highpoint of celebrations commemorating Lagos at 50.

Pix by NAN