Oba Akran signs cultural pact with Atlantic Bond Initiative

The Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Atlantic Bond Initiative to promote African culture at home and beyond.

The pact was signed at an event organised by the Atlantic Bond Initiative, recently in Badagry, with the theme: “Promoting Strong Cultural and Tourism Ties between Africa and the US.

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.

“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 especially, Badagry,‘’

Speaking during the visit, the Founder of the initiative, Mr Rotimi Vaughan explained 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.

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.