THE 4TH EDITION OF THE BADAGRY DOOR OF RETURN FESTIVAL MARCUS GARVEY JNR WAS GIVEN A NEW NAME

 Yesterday 20th of October 2023, Dr Julius Garvey, son of legendary Marcus Garvey was  given a new name by the Akran of Badagry. He is now called Ajigo of Badagry Kingdom which means in English language, the Child returns home.

L-R The Jengen of Badagry Kingdom and Dr. Julius Garvey

This took place at the Palace of the Akran of Badagry as part of the activities leading to the Grand Finale of the 4th Edition of the Badagry Door of Return Festival, in Badagry, Lagos State.

L-R Dr.David Andersen  of the United State and Dr. Julius Garvey

Dr Garvey who could not help expressing his excitement and joy of return, maintained that it is indeed a long awaited home- coming. 

He promised to remain connected and rooted with Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria as homeland.

Dr David Anderson of the United States of America who had been to Badagry for three consecutive times with a revered title of Jogbo of Badagry Kingdom, and had been previously named Mautin, added that it is always refreshing and heartwarming coming home, his motherland, Badagry.

Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and Initiator of the Badagry Door Of Return, believes that if the event is well Invested-in, harvested, exploited and positioned, it will become one of the best tourism products in Nigeria, given its Diaspora content.

Dr. Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Speaking at the Akran's palace

The 27 member historic African Diaspora team to the Badagry Door of Return Festival visited historical sites and monuments revealing the true perspectives of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. First point of call was the Seat of the British Canon donated to King Aholu Wawu of Badagry in 1843.

At the Lagos State Heritage Museum, it was a sad recollection of horrendous pictorial presentation of the evils of slavery. 

The delegation was also at the Mobee Family Museum Relics, depicting the height of man inhumanity to man through the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade.

At the Seriki Williams Abbas Slave Museum, relics of Brazilian Baracoon of 1840 and Point of No Return, Gerefu-Badagry, were visible.

The Day two of the Badagry Door of Return Festival ended with a heart rendering theatrical enactment of the rambunctious African continent, blessed with rich flora and fiona, demonstrating the craven consequences of Slavery, the renaissance and renewed hope of the historic African Diaspora reconnecting with homeland, directed by Prof Sola Fosudo.

More pictures from the event are as follows:

Dejsontech Reports.