By JIMOH BABATUNDE

Slave memorial at Badagry

The history of slave trade in West Africa will not be complete without a special mention of Badagry town in Nigeria which was used as slave trade route. The town is of very important spiritual, historical link for the Black diaspora

Badary also houses the first storey building in Nigeria, built in 1845 and still standing on its original site.

But, the aspect of the slave trade has been harped on by the people and the government to attract tourists to the town.

Lagos state government under the regime of Bola Ahmed Tinubu came up with the concept of the Black Heritage Festival to promote tourism in Lagos State and also to reintegrate the people with their kith and kin in the diaspora.

It was indeed a successful festival. Two editions of the festival took place before he handed over to the present governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. The festivals attracted African-Americans in large numbers.

Unfortunately, lack of funds have stalled that initiative. But the community in Badagry has come up with the Badagry Heritage Festival which first edition was held recently.

The community is using that to continue with their objectives of promoting tourism and reintegrating with their African people in the diaspora.

It is also an opportunity to attract investment to the town from blacks in the diaspora. And this is in a way paying off as one of pop superstar Michael Jackson’s brothers, Marlon, is involved in a plan to develop a $3.4bn (£2.4bn) slavery memorial and luxury resort in Badagry.

The historic slave port is to be transformed through the bizarre combination of a slave history theme park and a museum dedicated to double Grammy-winning pop-soul group the Jackson Five.

The idea is that the band will help attract African-American tourists keen to trace their roots back to Nigeria. The men behind the plan say it will honour the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and provide employment opportunities for Nigerians.

The Jackson Five The developers say the Badagry Historical Resort will be marketed to African-American tourists as a mixture of luxury tourist attractions and historical education.

Andrew Okokhere of Greatland Tourism at the Akran of badagry's palace during the week.

In related development, the city of Houston, Texas, United States of America is inviting the Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menutoyi 1 to the states for the celebration of this year’s Freedeom Day.

In a letter of invitation delivered to the monarch in his palace on Monday through Andrew Okokhere of Greatland , Akran of Badagry is expected to lead a strong Nigerian delegation of tourism and trade experts.

The choice of His Royal Highness Aholu Menutoyi”the Akran of Badagry as the Royal Guest of the Houston celebrations is of great significance, and its import, obviously, is not lost on the Americans. Badagry which was founded in the early 15th Century, enjoys a prominent place in history, not only in Nigeria or Africa, but worldwide.

While addressing journalists , Okokhere said .” We want Americans to invest in Nigerian economy and also help to develop our tourism industry. Nigerian officials going for this event can provide them the necessary information and assurance”.

He pointed out that Houston has the largest population of Nigerian-Americans who are professionals in diverse fields in the United States.

“They will also be very glad to receive Nigerian delegation and to know how they can contribute to the growth of their fatherland”, Okokhere said

Sunny Ayewanu, who is co-ordinating Nigeria’s participation at the event, said: “It is about time Nigeria moved away from its sole dependence on oil. We have to develop our tourism sector and create employment for millions of our youth who are already frustrated and restless over the growing unemployment in Nigeria.

Countries in Africa such as Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Tanzania and South Africa have developed their tourism industry and are earning huge revenues from tourism . Egypt for example, makes billions of dollars from tourism every year, and the industry alone employs ten percent of the country’s population. Why not Nigeria?”,Ayewanu said.