By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Boglo Cenotaph |
In commemoration of World Tourism Day, Badagry West LDA has unveiled a historical tomb of Chief Kwabla Boglo Hedoh at Boglo Community, Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria.
The event was laced with Zangbeto performances, cultural dance, and local food competitions. Boglo is one of the foremost settlers in the area, he was a fisherman and the founder of Salvation Army Primary School, Anlo Boglo.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Hon. Gbenu Henungbe Joseph said, "This is historic, and as we all know the importance of tourism today, this place is for relaxation and could generate revenue for the community and the LCDA."
The chairman further promised to develop the seashore close to the site to achieve better relaxation centres for visitors. Badagry West is said to have been doted with various historic sites that should be developed.
He said the people of Badagry West should be of good behaviour and avoid engaging in smuggling, drug, or human trafficking. The youths should be good ambassadors of their various communities, and there should be synergy among the people.
He pleaded with the tourist investors to come and tap into the riches of tourism in the area, as several tourist sites are yet to be developed, and this will generate enormous funds for the investors and the government.
Solomon Gvenupo Zosu, the senior special adviser on tourism and special works to the Chairman Badagry West LCDA, said, "Today is very symbolic as we unveil the Cenotaph, which has been in existence since the 1970s. Boglo happened to be a prominent fisherman, he invited European missionaries who settled at Gbogbele to Boglo to start western education."
"Badagry is already known for tourism, but we need to do more. We are still pleading with the state and federal governments to develop our tourist sites so this place can be a viable tourist hub. We can only do little as a local government."
He assured the people that the Tourism Day celebration has become a continuous exercise in Badagry.
"Two years from now, with people like Honourable Gbenu Henungbe Joseph, the sky is the starting point for tourism in Badagry," he added.
James Anago Osho, a tourist expert and the founder of Badagry Beyond the Chains, said, "The name Badagry sells itself because Badagry is already on the international map. All we need is infrastructural development. Our heritage is huge, and the potential is massive."
From this moment on, people will start visiting this place, and other places like this need to be developed," he said.
Setonji Oke Tojinu, a tourist guide, said, "This is to install another tourism market here we have a marketable product here in Badagry. This part of the world cannot be compared to Europe, but we have the best culture around the world, and it's still untapped."
He gave an instance of where the Zangbeto were performing and foods were brought out of its grass costume: "This could be a means to provide the people's needs. We need to repackage and sell to the world what we have," he added.