Badagry, an ancient city in Lagos State, will host a historical, spiritual and economic event, tagged ‘Fourth Door of Return’, where hundreds of Diaspora Africans are returning next week Saturday.

High point of the event would see Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu walking through the door to welcome the returnees, led by Dr. Julius Marcus-Garvey. In a statement, yesterday, the programme would be held from October 19 to 21 in the historic town.

Addressing the press in Ikeja, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that the event would not not only be of economic, physical and spiritual benefits to Lagos residents, but also to the people living abroad.

She said various activities had been lined up and dignitaries invited to positively project Lagos as a tourist attraction and culture hub to the world.

Dabiri-Erewa, who commended the governor for his administration’s tremendous support for the event, reiterated that the programme promises economic, physical and spiritual benefits to signify a return to the door of joy, peace, prosperity and progress.

She stated: “What Bagadry has, no place in the world has it. Door of Return is going to be the biggest tourism event from Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, restated the government’s commitment to unveiling the hidden treasures of Badagry and the state to the world through the programme.

Decrying the inhumane treatment meted out to the ancestors over 400 years ago, she reassured that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to restoring the joy of every black man.

Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism and Culture, Solomon Bonu, pledged lawmakers’ support for the project.