Dabiri-Erewa pays condolence visit to Palace of late Akran of Badagry, commends legacy of service

Stanley Ihedigbo

Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Akran of Badagry, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Akran.

According to Head: Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abdur-Rahman Balogun, received by the Regent, Chiefs, and family members of the departed monarch, Dabiri-Erewa conveyed her heartfelt condolences, describing the late Oba as a visionary traditional ruler whose reign was marked by peace, progress, and remarkable contributions to the socio-economic and cultural development of both Badagry and Nigeria at large.

Speaking during the visit, the NiDCOM Chairman particularly lauded the institutionalisation of the Badagry Door of Return Festival, highlighting how the initiative positions Badagry as a symbolic destination reconnecting Africans in the Diaspora with their ancestral homeland.

She noted that the late monarch’s enduring commitment to heritage preservation and diaspora engagement would remain a lasting legacy for generations to come.

The Chiefs and family members of the late Oba expressed appreciation for Dabiri-Erewa’s visit, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship between the palace, the people of Badagry, and NiDCOM.

During her visit, Dabiri-Erewa also undertook an inspection tour of the site of the Door of Return, currently under construction.

She commended the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for approving the construction of the permanent Door of Return, describing it as a landmark tourism project with significant potential to strengthen cultural ties and reconnect the historic African diaspora to the motherland.

The visit underscored NiDCOM’s continued support for initiatives that celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while fostering unity and engagement with the global African community.