Events

Sanwo-Olu, others to attend ‘4th Lagos Door of Return’

Published

3 years ago

October 10, 2023

Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Dr Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr, son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey are amongst the dignitaries expected at the 4th Lagos Door of Return event holding in Badagry towards the end of this month.

The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, made this known on Monday at a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Center, Alausa Secretariat, in Lagos and attended by the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awosika, among others, saying that the event was being organized in partnership with the Lagos State government.

NIDCOM boss stated that the Door of Return “includes receiving our brothers and sisters that were taken as slaves over 400 years ago historically, spiritually, emotionally and physically,” declaring that “it is a connection to what we call the joy of return.”

“They are going to take a long walk through that path to the point of no return and we now receive them as kings and queens to where their ancestors were taken away so many years ago,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

According to her, it is a very emotional ceremony which everybody needed to participate in, saying that what Lagos would eventually do is to open a permanent door in Badagry areas of the state.

“We are going to witness the return on the 21st of October, you are going to see what Badagry has, what Lagos has for tourism. No country in the world has what Badagry has for tourism. If the Lagos State government builds on it, it will now be world renowned heritage for anywhere in the world,” she stated.

Dabiri-Erewa added that Governor Sanwo-Olu, who is expected to be the chief host of the event, would open the Door of Return to Prosperity, while Dr. Marcus Garvey jnr would be the Special Guest of Honour “and this will be his first time coming to this part of the world.”

Speaking further, NIDCOM boss explained that the Diaspora festival tagged 4th Door of Return will witness the re-enactment of the experience of captured slaves chained in the neck and legs as they wriggled through the “Point of No Return” to the ship.

According to her, the 4th Door of Return will include visits to historical sites and birth joy and excitement to the motherland, even as she disclosed that investors were waiting to build the Diaspora Palace in Badagry.

“Investors are waiting to build the Diaspora Palace in Badagry. A lot of people have done their DNA and they are saying, we are from Nigeria and we want to come back home. Badagry is a route to slave trade on African soil and that same Badagry will be the 4th Door of Return for many black men and women in Diaspora to experience the motherland firsthand.

“I am glad that the Diasporas are coming here. As they are coming here, they are being led to what they can do for Africa, particularly in Nigeria. It is a land of opportunities. It is a virgin land waiting to be tapped.

Related Topics:Events Featured Lagos Sanwo-Olu

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.