Stakeholders Urge Tourism-Driven Economic Revival at Badagry Book Launch

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

Barr. Metu delivering the key lecture of the day

The historic coastal town of Badagry took center stage over the weekend as stakeholders, experts, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Baggage Magazine and launch the book ‘Violation of ECOWAS Protocol’ written by Okey Chikezie Iroegbu.

The event, held in Badagry, became a platform for passionate advocacy on repositioning the town as a tourism and trade hub. The book author and Editor-in-Chief of the Baggage Magazine, Okey Iroegbu, delivered a compelling presentation titled “Why Lagos State Should Invest In Badagry.” He traced the town’s rich historical significance — from its role as a British trading post in the 1820s to its emergence as a palm-oil port and a haven for freed slaves in the 1830s.

Iroegbu anf stakeholders in a group photograph

“Badagry has every attribute for great economic potentials,” Iroegbu emphasized, citing its vast harbor, agricultural resources, and tourism appeal. He lamented the neglect of the area, describing it as a “cemetery of dead imperialists” and called for strategic investments in tourism, oil and gas, and maritime sectors to revive its fortunes.

Barrister Ejike Metu in his presentation with the theme “Badagry: Nigerian Gateway To ECOWAS Trade Facilitations,” spotlighted the adverse impact of excessive security checkpoints along the Badagry-Abidjan corridor. He urged traditional rulers, political leaders and government agencies to dismantle barriers in the form of illegal multiple security checkpoints, which he described as a “commercial albatross.”

Iroegbu and family, and friends

Metu advocated for streamlined customs policies and better support for freight forwarders, emphasizing that such reforms would restore national pride and boost regional trade.

Other speakers, including Dr. Nurudeen Audu  of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Idris Yahaya (BACCIMA), Chief Stephen Etolue, Mr. Busuriyu Fanu, and a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), individually, offered actionable solutions to the Badagry ecosystem challenges.

These include repair of critical road infrastructure to facilitate movement; reduction and regulation of security checkpoints, especially at night; training and equipping border patrol officers with local knowledge; honest cargo declarations and biometric IDs for cross-border traders; enhanced collaboration among agencies like NDLEA and NAFDAC; youth education on drug abuse and responsible driving; and increased corporate social responsibility (CSR) from government agencies.

Others are support for local rice farming and refinery development to curb smuggling; exploration of Badagry’s tourism, port, and industrial potential, and a Unified Vision for Badagry’s Future

The event concluded with a shared commitment among stakeholders to reposition Badagry as a vibrant economic and cultural destination. The launch of Violation of ECOWAS Protocol served not only as a literary milestone but also as a clarion call for policy reform, investment, and community empowerment.

As the voices from Badagry grow louder, the message is clear: it’s time to rewrite the narrative and unlock the full potential of this historic town.