Badagry has been selected as the location for the creation of the World Africa Slave Trade Museum.
This followed a meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a courtesy visit to former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, by the leader of the Diasporan delegation to Africa, Dr Julius Garvey.
In a statement by Obasanjo’s Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday, the duo noted that the enormous contributions of the ancient town in Badagry to the history of the slave trade could not be overemphasised, hence the resolution to have it as the location for the world museum centre.
According to the statement. Ghana, Addis-Ababa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Senegal came as choices, but Nigeria was chosen due to her capacity and leading strength in the continent.
The visiting team also discussed how to improve trade between Africa and the Caribbean.
Speaking on the visit, Garvey was quoted as saying, “He (Obasanjo) has the interest of the Africans at heart; Africans here in the continent and Diaspora and I am happy to see that. We discussed the situation in Africa and I am pleased to say that the understanding we both reached on the Museum location is pleasing.
“He has done so much for Africans and from the pan-African sense. He has a sharp mind and is willing to contribute to the development of Africa. He looked like my father from his old pictures and he’s taking good care of his health,”
Julius, who is the son of the late human rights promoter, Marcus Garvey, said having served as a vascular surgeon and professor of Medicine for many years, he was now focused on advancing his father’s legacy.
He added, “I am interested in cultivating collaboration with Nigerians to bring home transformation through health, education, business, agriculture, aviation, tourism, technology, manufacturing and more. I hope to see Nigeria become Africa’s transformation engine and the Nigerian Diaspora as the continent’s best global ambassadors in this lifetime.”
“My father, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, was never able to set his feet in Africa, even though he preached to Africans in the Diaspora about returning to the motherland physically or mentally. As his son, returning and becoming a chief in Nigeria is monumental.
However, Obasanjo hinted that as the prime minister (Balogun) of his Owu clan, he would recommend a chieftaincy title for Julius.
