Wole Soyinka, Abike Dabiri, others light up Badagry diaspora festival with powerful homecoming message

It was a moment of deep reflection and cultural celebration as Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, graced the Badagry Diaspora Festival 2025, delivering a stirring message that resonated with the soul of Africa’s homecoming journey.

Addressing a vibrant audience, Soyinka declared that “every journey has two parts departure and return,” emphasising that the voyage of the African people remains incomplete until they reconnect with their ancestral roots. He described the festival as a symbolic launchpad for the long-awaited return, praying for the safe homecoming of all Africans in the diaspora.

In her goodwill message, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), commended the organisers and the people of Badagry for keeping history alive. She revealed that next year’s edition will “take a bigger shape,” promising greater collaboration between NiDCOM, Lagos State, and international partners to make the festival a global model of reconnection and cultural tourism.

Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu, Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Lagos State House of Assembly, lauded the festival’s symbolic value, describing it as “a heritage bridge between Africa and her children abroad.” He assured continued legislative backing for initiatives that promote tourism, culture, and the preservation of Lagos’ historical identity.

Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, Executive Chairman, Badagry Local Government, highlighted the sacred role of Badagry as the soil of return. He reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to keep supporting the festival and other cultural programmes that deepen the town’s tourism and economic growth.

Representing the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, described the festival as a “living testament to Lagos’ commitment to cultural renaissance and diaspora unity.” He conveyed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s goodwill message, commending Badagry for sustaining its legacy as the cradle of return and pledging the State’s continued support to amplify its global recognition.

Adding colour to the event was Her Excellency Miriam Morales Palmero, Ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, who expressed delight at the enduring spiritual and cultural bond between Africa and the Caribbean.

In a symbolic gesture, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren (Rikay), Executive Chairman, Badagry West LCDA, and Hon. Joseph Gbenu (Àjọṣe), Executive Chairman, Olorunda LCDA, joined in the presentation of Certificates of Return to international returnees, including the families of Mere Jah from the United Kingdom and other diaspora groups.

The three Badagry council chairmen Hon. Babatunde Hunpe (Badagry LGA), Hon. Rauf Kayode Yemaren (Badagry West LCDA), and Hon. Ajọṣe Peter Kumayon (Olorunda LCDA) ,stood in unity, reaffirming Badagry’s readiness to continue welcoming her long-lost brothers and sisters back home in peace, love, and cultural harmony.