The Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, has signed a cultural Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Atlantic Bond Initiative to promote African culture at home and beyond.
The MoU was signed at an event organised by the Atlantic Bond Initiative with the theme: “Promoting Strong Cultural and Tourism Ties between Africa and U.S.’’, on Saturday in Badagry.
NAN reports that Atlantic Bond Initiative is a cultural firm aimed at promoting socio-cultural relations between Lagos, Nigeria and South Carolina in U.S.
The monarch said that the memorandum was signed basically to exhibit the cultural heritage and tourism potential which Badagry was blessed with.
He described the initiative as a laudable one and pledged his commitment toward supporting cultural advocacy and development in Nigeria and beyond.
“The initiative will bring about increase in foreign exchange earnings and developments to Badagry community.
“The initiative will attract influx of blacks in Diaspora to Badagry, Lagos, ‘’ he said.
The Akran said that the initiative reminded Nigerians of dehumanising and maltreatment they faced during slavery in the years back.
“I will support the initiative in all ramifications in order to create a window for blacks in Diaspora to trace their roots to Africa and most especially, Badagry, Nigeria, ‘’ the monarch said.
Mr Rotimi Vaughan, the Anti-Child trafficking activist and the Founder of the initiative, said that the whole idea was to reconnect blacks in Diaspora to their roots.
Vaughan, however, said that plans were in top gear to hold Lagos-Oyotunji Cultural Heritage Fiesta at the Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA.
He said the event was meant to sensitise the people of the community about the latest development between Badagry, Lagos and South Carolina, U.S.
Vaughan, also a lawyer and social entrepreneur, said that the festival would be riding on the fact that modern slavery was an evil reminder of the terribly dehumanising past of the African continent.
He said that he was a direct descendant of South Carolinian Scipio Vaughan, a former slave who became a prominent and respected family man in Camden, South Carolina, U.S. until his death in 1840.
Vaughan said that he was keen to draw attention to striking data available in the area of child trafficking in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.
“I have always looked forward to the day I would ably be in a position to transform my intriguing family historical account of slavery, freedom and dignity.
“The elevation of the black race into a platform for promoting impactful, socio-cultural bond and understanding between Africa and Americas,’’ he said
Vaughan said that this would be achieved through a project known as the Atlantic Bond Initiative.
The lawyer was set to establish strategic promotions, exchanges, relations and ties between Lagos State (City of Badagry) Nigeria and the State of South Carolina (City of Camden) and Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon, U.S.
He said that, “African Americans in the U.S. are looking forward to reconnect to their roots which would bring positive changes to boost the present state of economy for future benefits.”
Vaughan said that the idea was to sensitise Nigerians about the socio-cultural and trade exchange that Nigeria and the USA could benefit from.
