Dare Babalola
The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON, paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the late Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Akran, to offer condolences.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Head of Media and Public Relations.
Balogun stated that Dr Dabiri-Erewa was received at the palace by the Regent, high chiefs, and members of the royal family.
The NiDCOM Chairman expressed heartfelt condolences, describing the late Oba as a visionary traditional ruler who contributed significantly to Badagry’s and Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development, leaving a legacy of peace and progress.
She praised the institutionalisation of the Badagry Door of Return Festival, noting it positioned Badagry as a key destination for Africans in the Diaspora to reconnect with their heritage.
She stated that the late monarch’s commitment to preserving heritage and engaging the diaspora would be his lasting legacy.
The chiefs and family members of the late monarch expressed appreciation to Dr Dabiri-Erewa for the visit and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining a cordial relationship between the palace, the people of Badagry, and NiDCOM.
During the visit, Dr Dabiri-Erewa also undertook an inspection tour of the site of the Door of Return, currently under construction.
She commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for approving the construction of the permanent Door of Return, describing it as a significant landmark tourism project aimed at strengthening cultural ties and reconnecting the historic African diaspora to the motherland.
