Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, recently pledged support for the development of cultural links between South West Nigeria and Oyotunji African Village, Sheldon city, South Carolina, U.S.
The tie will boost culture and tourism in Osogbo, the state capital.
Aregbesola cemented the relationship during a courtesy call on him by the Atlantic Bond Initiative Group led by its president, Mr. Rotimi Vaughan.
The group is a United States’ friendship organisation with the aim of promoting cultural interaction between South Carolina, U.S. and Nigeria. The group is based in Oyotunji, Sheldon city.
The governor said: “This initiative will generate foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria, as many Africans in the Diaspora will be visiting Nigeria. This, in turn, will improve the Nigerian economy and create a strong cultural bond between Nigeria and America.”
President of the initiative, Vaughan, said their aim was to reconnect blacks in the Diaspora with their original roots in Africa, adding that plans are afoot to host a fiesta in Lagos and in Sheldon in December.
Vaughan, a lawyer, and tourism ambassador, said the festival is riding on the crest of child trafficking, as a modern slavery, which must be condemned.
He said child trafficking is a reminder of the evils of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
Vaughan said they were in Nigeria to establish monuments for strong cultural relations between the cities of Badagry and Sheldon.
They are billed to organise a tourism workshop to formally unveil of Atlantic Bond Initiative (ATBONDI) in Badagry on October 29.
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