Indigenes implore Buhari to end Badagry’s marginalisation

THE people of Badagry, Lagos State, have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, put an end to their many years of political and economic marginalization in the spirit of change and appoint one of their own into his Federal Executive Council to end the 53 years the Ogu people have tasted power at the centre of Nigeria’s politics.

This call was made, at the weekend, by the Founder of Africa Renaissance Foundation (AREFO) and organising chairman of Badagry Diaspora Festival 2015, Mr. Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku, at the grand finale of the festival that drew dignitaries from the Africans in the Diaspora, especially Haiti and Benin Republic.

Olaide-Mesewaku said since the late Oba Dosa Akran of Badagry was last appointed in 1962, as federal minister, no other Badagry indigene has been so appointed at the national level, whereas other parts of Lagos has had eight of their own appointed ministers ever since.

In view of the historical importance of Badagry, as a major slave port during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, its abolition and legitimate trade thereafter, Olaide-Mesewaku said it was unfortunate that Badagry has slipped out of the memory of Nigeria on account of the neglect it has suffered in the larger Nigerian scheme of things.
According to him, I want to appeal to President Buhari on behalf of the people of Badagry Division that while constituting his National Executive Council he should do that with the principle of change in mind, especially as it concerns Badagry Division. Badagry has offered so much historical base for Nigeria but since 1962, when one of its illustrious sons was last appointed minister during the regional government system, no other individual has been considered for the exalted position of minister.