The position of Badagry as a major tourist destination in Lagos State and Nigeria was again reaffirmed with a recent visit by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Zdenek Krejci; the Deputy Head of Mission, Hana Trousilova and a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, (Dr.) Mrs. Dere Awosika to the ancient town.
The Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Omowunmi Seriki, who was the tour guide for the visitors on behalf of the Ministry, took the team round many historical sites in Badagry.
She expressed the hope that the visit would further project Lagos and Nigeria’s tourism potentials, envisaging that more international tourists would also be stimulated by the visit.
The tourists’ first point of call was the Badagry Heritage Museum where the Head of the Museum, Mr. Peter Mesewaku explained the important position that Badagry occupies in the area of Western Education, Christianity and Trans-Atlantic Slavery.
After visiting the Museum, the tourists visited the Vlekete Slave Market Museum for a deeper understanding of the Trans-Atlantic Slavery before its abolition; The Agai Tree where the First Service and Gospel were preached in Nigeria as well as the location of the First Storey Building in Nigeria.
Speaking after the tour, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Zdenek Krejci, thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for taking time to share the history of Badagry with them, just as he also acknowledged the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
His words: “It is an honour for me to bring greetings on behalf of the people and Government of Czech Republic. It is very emotional for us to know the history of the transatlantic slave trade that took place in Badagry Nigeria, it is even a greater honour to us for the warm and homely reception we received from the period we arrived here in Badagry till we concluded our tour”.
