Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has endorsed Atlantic Bond Initiative as a custodian and promoter of socio-cultural relationship between Africa`s and United State of America.
Aregbesola made the speech during a courtesy visit by the Atlantic Bond Initiative Group to the Governor Office in Osun-State on Tuesday.
The initiative was geared towards a progressive and Impactful Socio-cultural connects, Business and Friendship Relations between Osun, Lagos-Nigeria and South Carolina, City of Camden/Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon, USA.
Aregbesola pledges support of the initiative adding that it was a laudable one.
He said that he would not shy away from supporting the advocacy and development of Africa`s culture especially Nigeria`s culture.
“The initiative reminds us of dehumanizing and maltreatment that Nigerians faced during slavery in the years back.
“It is nothing to remember because of the ways and manners that Nigerians was ill-treated but we give glory to God that today Nigeria has gain freedom from slavery, “ he said.
The Governor said that he would support the initiative in all ramification because it would make the Blacks in Diaspora to trace their root to Africa especially Nigeria`s.
“The initiative will bring about increase in foreign exchange earnings, as so many Blacks in Diaspora will be visiting Nigeria.
“This will in turn improve the economy of the state and also create a strong cultural bond between Nigerians and the Americans, “ He said.
He applauded the historic cultural heritage programme, termed: “Lagos-Oyotunji Cultural Heritage Fiesta” that would be holding soon at the Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA.
Earlier, the Anti-child trafficking activist and the founder of the initiative, Mr Rotimi Vaughan said in his speech that the whole idea was to reconnect Blacks in Diaspora to their origin/root.
Vaughan however said that plans are in top gear to hold the historic cultural heritage programme, termed: “Lagos-Oyotunji Cultural Heritage Fiesta” at the Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA.
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He seized the opportunity of the visit to Osun State Secretariat to invite Gov. Aregbesola to be one of the Guests that would be attending the fiesta.
Vaughan, a lawyer and social entrepreneur, said that the festival is riding on the fact that modern slavery is an “evil reminder of the terribly dehumanizing past of the African continent.”
He said that he is a direct descendant of South Carolinian Scipio Vaughan, a former slave who became a prominent and respected family man in Camden, South Carolina, United States of America until his death in 1840.
Vaughan said that he is 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, dignity and the elevation of the black race, into a platform for promoting impactful, socio-cultural relations and understanding between Africa and Americas,” he said
He said that this would be achieved through a project known as the Atlantic Bond Initiative.
The lawyer is 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, USA.
He stated further that, “African Americans in the US, looking to re-connect to their roots, would have a huge spring board under the Atlantic Bond Initiative, from which to dive deep into their past, thereby affecting positive changes in the present State and the future.”
Vaughan also stated that as part of effort to promoting socio-cultural, education, agriculture, trade, commerce and bilateral relationship between Osun, Lagos-Nigeria.
He said that his group had gone to pay a courtesy visit to Akran of Badagry and would also be visiting some Governors and Oba`s in Nigeria for a wake up calls.
Vaughan said that the idea was to sensitize Nigerians about the socio-cultural and trade exchange that Nigeria`s and USA, also to connect Nigerians to Oyotunji African Village in Sheldon, South Carolina, USA.
