The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged members of the Historic African Diaspora tracing their roots to Nigeria to consider Lagos as their home.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this appeal in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, while receiving a 14-member African Ancestry delegation. He emphasized the delegation’s importance in promoting a deeper appreciation of the shared heritage between Lagos and the African Diaspora.
The Governor commended the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who led the delegation on the courtesy visit, for her enormous contributions to Diaspora engagement.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the leader of African Ancestry Delegation, Dr. Gina Paige for her pioneering efforts in connecting people of African descent with their roots, through DNA testing.
“I must say here that our rich and diverse history is crucial to our identity as Nigerians and Africans,” he said.
The Governor used the opportunity to also discuss potential initiatives and vision for Lagos as a hub for cultural exchange and a beacon for the African diaspora.
The NIDCOM boss, Dr. Abike Dabiri Erewa welcomed all delegates and congratulated the Governor for his tremendous work in making Lagos attractive to all, noting the enormous success of Detty December.
She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his approval to build the permanent Door of Return in Badagry, describing it as ‘a project that will further positively transform tourism in the state.’
Dabiri-Erewa encouraged the delegation to tour other parts of the country and see the potential and rich cultural heritage in Nigeria.
The leader of the delegation, Mrs Gina Paige, accompanied by 14 delegates, appealed to the Nigerian Government to consider giving those whose DNA has been traced to Nigeria their Nigerian passports and citizenship.
She also made known her desire to live and settle in Nigeria and also wish to bring many more Diaspora back home.
In her words “We are victims of identity theft.”
Paige noted that despite the bad image and propaganda towards Nigeria, it has never discouraged them from coming back home.
Gina Paige is a co- founder African Ancestry, who 22 years ago began encouraging the Historic African Diaspora to trace their roots through DNA.
The 14-Member delegation consisted of descendants who have traced their roots to various tribes in Nigeria.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.