When Abike Dabiri-Erewa, LASG, United The Diaspora With Brothers In Badagry

By Segun Omotoso

The Badagry 4th Door of Return Festival grand finale on the 21st day of October 2023 was indeed an epoch making event.

Never has the ancient town of Badagry in Lagos, Nigeria, witnessed such a massive crowd since the days of transatlantic slave trade. 

The unusual size of the crowd itself signified the success of the event and the victory of the Diaspora Door of Return as initiated by Abike Dabiri-Erewa,

the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) and put together with the support of the Lagos State Government.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the state government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, noted that the challenge of slavery had not dissuaded the black man from waxing stronger.

The Governor welcomed all the Brothers and Sisters led by Dr Julius Garvey, son of the legendary Marcus Garvey home, from the Diaspora to the 4th Door of Return festival in Badagry.

"We welcome you to Badagry, we welcome you to Lagos. We celebrate the resilience, enterprise of the black man. After centuries of Trans-Atlantic slave exploitation, we are happy to see African descendants who are back. It is a new dawn of renewed hope and freedom. Your coming is symbolic!" Said the Governor.

And for the period of the festival, the Diaspora Returnees enjoyed quite a number of activities, from a name ceremony at the Akran of Badagry's Palace where they were blessed with African names, to the tour of the historic Trans-Atlantic Slave trade routes, then to Mobee Family Museum to see some of the relics and symbols of the tragic, historic transatlantic slave trade.

The Returnees were delighted with a colourful boat regatta show, and were also exposed to the arts, culture and traditions of Badagry.

For Dr Julius Garvey, it was a long awaited home coming. He said, the festival availed him the memories of the horror of the slave trade, while at the same time expressing happiness over the joy of return, promising to remain connected with Badagry.

Some of the Diaspora Returnees also included Dr David Anderson, the Founder and President of the BridgeLeader Network (BLN), Queen mother Delois Blakely, Community Mayor of Harlem, New York City, USA; and others.

Entertainers at the grand finale of the event included PEPTI Group from Benin Republic, showing off their skills with cultural performances at the venue of the event in Badagry.

Many dignitaries graced the occasion, amongst them, Hon. Sesi, Member, House of Representatives; Hon. Aregbe, S.A to Lagos state governor on Tourism, Art and Culture, Hon. Commissioner for Education, Mr. Asaka; Commissioner for Home Affairs Commission, Hon. Ibrahim Layode; Hon Bonu Solomon, Badagry constituency 1, House of Assembly member (Chairman Tourism, Art and Culture); Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Olusegun Adeniran Onilude; Agbabi Samson Nunayan, Director of Tourism in Badagry Local Government, Mr. Austin Hunpe, a Director in Lagos Civil Service Commission, Honourable Tunde Hunpatin and CEO of Soketa Hotel in Badagry. 

Royal fathers in attendance included: His Royal Majesty, Oba Abiodun Whedoko, Aholu of Iya Afin Kingdom. His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusegun Wheto, the Aholu of Idale-Whedakoh kingdom. His Royal Majesty, Oba Owolabani, the Aholu of Ajara Topa kingdom. The Akran of Badagry was represented by Onikogah of Ikogah, Oluro of Ilaro in Abeokuta, HRM Oba Olusegun, High Chief Agolotho of Badagry kingdom, Posu-Elect of Badagry kingdom and other Baales and High Chiefs. 

The Eight Badagry Quarters which includes Asagoh, Ahovikoh, Gbeyikoh, Awajigoh, Posukoh, Jegba and Warakoh were also all on ground for the festival.

Sanwo-Olu promised to build a Diaspora Palace in Badagry, "where every son and daughter of Africa will have a room to themselves, bringing your wealth of experience to bear on your return home." 

According to Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, the festival which started in 2017, has a need for collaboration between the private sector and the government.