27th October, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye/Abeokuta
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the leader of the Diasporan delegation to Motherland Africa, Dr Julius Garvey have agreed to Badagry in Lagos State, as the location for the World Africa Slave Trade Museum.
This followed a meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State between the team led by Dr. Garvey and the former Nigerian President.
Special Assistant on Media to Obasanjo, Kehinde Akinyemi in a statement said the duo noted that the enormous contributions of the ancient town of Badagry to the history of the slave trade could not be overemphasized, hence the resolution to have it as the location of the world museum centre.
Ghana, Addis-Ababa, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Senegal were also considered, but Nigeria was agreed upon as the location for the Museum due to her capacity and leading strength in the continent
According to the statement, the visiting team also discussed how to improve trade between Africa and the Caribbean and other contemporary issues.
Speaking on the visit, Garvey said it was “a wonderful experience for me seeing President Obasanjo personally. He has the interest of the Africans at heart; Africans here in the continent and in Diaspora and I am happy to see that. We discussed the situation in Africa and am pleased to say that the understanding we both reached on the Museum location is pleasing.
Garvey said the delegation also discussed about the continent and the Caribbean as part of the six regions “and I am happy about the direction the conservation took.”
He added that he saw Obasanjo as somebody “who is on top of issues of the day. He has done so much for Africans and from the pan-African sense. He has a sharp mind and he is willing to contribute to the development of Africa. He really looked like my father from his old pictures and that he’s really taking good care of his health,” the Vascular Surgeon said.
He disclosed that having served as a vascular surgeon and professor of medicine for many years, “I am now focused on advancing my father’s legacy. I am interested in cultivating collaboration with Nigerians to bring home transformation through health, education, business, agriculture, aviation, tourism, technology, manufacturing and more. I hope to see Nigeria become Africa’s transformation engine and the Nigerian Diaspora as the continent’s best Global Ambassadors in this lifetime.”
Julius Garvey is the son of the legendary black activist and human rights promoter, Marcus Garvey.
“My father Marcus Mosiah Garvey was never able to set his feet in Africa, even though he preached to Africans in the Diaspora about returning to the Motherland physically or mentally. As his son, returning and becoming a Chief in Nigeria is monumental,” Julius said.
Obasanjo had hinted that as the Prime Minister (Balogun) of his Owu clan, he would recommend a chieftaincy title for him.
The delegation included the Chairman of Space Network and notable Prince in Ijebu Land, Otunba Ayodeji Osibogun, the Olu Orile Ilawo, HRM (Prof) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor, who is also the Founder and President of Toronto Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology and Moses A. Mawa, President & CEO of Silvertrust Media, Afroglobal Television and Transformation Institute and the Executive Producer of a documentary film being produced on Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Julius Garvey’s historic trip to Nigeria is expected to be reflected in the film.