Brazilian Descendants In Lagos State To Get Necessary FG Assistance
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has identified Nigeria’s century old heritage relationship with Brazil, noting that time has come to give the initiative an economic boost through Cultural tourism.
The Minister explained that, the window of relationship sustained by the thriving community of Brazilian Descendants in Lagos Island, will get federal government necessary assistance through factoring its iconic festival into Nigeria’s Cultural festival calendar.
He also appreciate the support and recognition of governor Babajide Sanwu-olu to ongoing efforts by Brazilian Descendants Association in preserving the history and architecture of Brazilian Nigerians in diaspora and in Lagos island.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed represented by the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, explained that the first generation of Nigerians who were taken by the Portuguese slave merchants, left an enduring legacies of Yoruba Culture which today has become a veritable platform of Cultural and historical relationship between Nigeria and Brazil.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Afro Brazilian Cultural centre in Brazilian Quarters, POPO AGUDA, Lagos island, on Easter Monday, the Minister noted that the center would not only preserve the historical narratives of Nigerian descendants in Brazil but would encourage and foster deep relationship with the government and people of Brazil.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed explained further, “I want to thank Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwu-olu, for the support and encouragement to the Brazilian Descendants Association and for preserving the architecture of Brazilian Descendants community in Lagos island, dating centuries old.”
The Wife of Lagos Governor, Dr (Mrs) Ibijoke Sanwo-olu, who cut the tape to open the Afro Brazilian Descendants center, praised the efforts of the association and notes that the carnival festival celebration in lagos, was made manifest by the Brazilian Descendants community in Lagos Island.
She commended the Cultural presence of Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, and his representative in the person of Otunba Segun Runsewe whom she recognized as the pivot of Nigeria’s Cultural diplomacy.
Hon. (Barrister) Lawal Pedro, Chairman, Brazil Descendants Association and former solicitor General of Lagos State, explained that a museum of Brazilian Descendants community would be opened soon at Lagos State University as a way of encouraging studies and research of lagos descendants in Brazil.
He noted further that the POPO AGUDA Lagos island Center of the Brazilian Descendants association, is geared towards bringing close to the community, easy access to all that needs to be known about historical narratives of Nigerian descendants in Brazil.
