By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Slavery freedom statue in Badagry |
The Badagry Heritage Memory Initiative (BHMI) has issued a passionate call to the Lagos State Government, local authorities, and national tourism agencies to immediately establish a coordinated Badagry Heritage Development and Conservation Framework.
Speaking through a statement released by its President, Chief Hunkanlin Ijinla, the NGO emphasized that safeguarding Badagry’s rich historical assets requires a united front. The proposed framework aims to bring together traditional institutions, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, private investors, and community stakeholders to protect the historic coastal town's legacy.
Actionable Steps for Cultural Preservation
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Ijinla stressed that historical preservation cannot wait until iconic structures and cultural landscapes fade away.
Systematic Documentation: A comprehensive archive must be created for historical buildings, monuments, sacred sites, oral histories, traditional practices, and waterfronts.
Vulnerability Assessments: Immediate, deliberate efforts are needed to identify and protect at-risk heritage resources.
Professional Interpretation: Key historical sites, such as the famous Point of No Return, must be upgraded into world-class, professionally interpreted heritage destinations that tell authentic human stories.
“What is not documented can easily be forgotten, so, heritage conservation cannot wait until our historical structures and cultural landscapes have disappeared,” Ijinla warned.
Empowering the Local Community
A core pillar of the BHMI proposal is ensuring that native residents do not become sidelined in the commercialization of their own history. The initiative advocates for active participation from local tour guides, boat operators, artisans, youth groups, and women associations.
Furthermore, the NGO noted that a push for UNESCO recognition must be grounded in rigorous research, community inclusion, and proper institutional frameworks. When managed correctly, heritage tourism can drive massive economic growth through hospitality, job creation, crafts, and educational investments.
A Call for a Multi-Stakeholder Roundtable
Concluding the open letter, Ijinla reiterated that Badagry’s history is a vital cornerstone of Nigerian, African, and global history. Because of its international significance, the responsibility of preservation cannot be left to a single individual or government agency.
BHMI has officially proposed a Badagry Heritage Roundtable to foster collaboration between the Lagos State Government, Badagry Local Government, the NCMM, and international partners to draft a definitive roadmap for the town's cultural and economic future.