Tourism sites in Badagry are poised for a revamp and upgrade to international standards as the Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the private sector to make this a reality.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, made this known during the visit of the a 50-year-old British model, Naomi Campbell, to some tourism sites in Badagry. He explained that the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently approved the revitalisation of some sites in Badagry.
Some of the tourist sites poised to be revamped include ‘Point of No Return’, ‘the Slave Route’, ‘First Storey Building’, ‘Brazilian Baracoon’, ‘Agia Tree Monument’, ‘Slave Relics Museum and Badagry Heritage Museum’, and ‘Nine Galleries’ among others.
“We just got approval to reconstruct the very popular ‘Agia Tree’, the site where the first Christmas was celebrated in the country. Apart from this, the Governor has also approved the reconstruction of ‘Point of No Return’ to international standard with modern Jetties as well as the provision of some infrastructures that have an indirect influence on tourism promotion and development, he said.”
The Special Adviser also told Naomi Campbell to extend her visit to Epe and Lagos Island to see More of the beauty of Lagos and explore the rich natural heritage of the indigenes.
Earlier, Ms. Campbell had stated that the purpose of her visit to the sites in Badagry was to explore ways of partnering with the Lagos State Government to develop the tourism locations in Badagry, adding that she was touched with what she saw and convinced by the need to trace her roots back home.
The Model, who in January was named by the Kenyan Government as the Tourism Ambassador for Kenya, could not hold her excitement after visiting different historical sites and slave relics in the ancient town of Badagry, acknowledged the efforts of the State government in preserving the various artefacts in the Badagry Museum over the years.
She added that considering other areas that need government interventions, there is a need for individuals’ support and collaboration with the government on different areas to bring about even development across all the sectors of the economy.
Ms. Campbell, who was accompanied by the CEO of Arise Television, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, and Deputy Controller General, Immigration (Rtd.) Mr. Biodun Hundeyin, visited the ‘Point of No Return’, ‘the Slave Route’, ‘First Storey Building’, ‘Brazilian Baracoon’, ‘Agia Tree Monument’, ‘Slave Relics Museum and Badagry Heritage Museum’ and ‘Nine Galleries’ among others.
