The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Nigeria, Zdenek Krejci, recently visited Badagry, a historic town in Lagos State, Nigeria. He was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Hana Trousilova, and a retired Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service, Dr. Dere Awosika.
The visitors were taken on a tour of many historical sites in Badagry, including the Badagry Heritage Museum, the Vlekete Slave Market Museum, the Agai Tree, and the location of the First Storey Building in Nigeria.
At the Badagry Heritage Museum, the Head of the Museum, Mr. Peter Mesewaku, explained the important position that Badagry occupies in the area of Western Education, Christianity, and Trans-Atlantic Slavery.
At the Vlekete Slave Market Museum, the visitors learned about the Trans-Atlantic Slavery before its abolition.
At the Agai Tree, the visitors learned about the First Service and Gospel that were preached in Nigeria.
At the location of the First Storey Building in Nigeria, the visitors learned about the history of Western education in Nigeria.
Speaking after the tour, Ambassador Krejci thanked the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for taking time to share the history of Badagry with them. He also acknowledged the warm reception that he and his entourage received.
He said, “It is an honor for me to bring greetings on behalf of the people and Government of the Czech Republic. It is very emotional for us to know the history of the transatlantic slave trade that took place in Badagry, Nigeria. It is even a greater honor to us for the warm and homely reception we received from the period we arrived here in Badagry till we concluded our tour.”
