The Badagry Heritage Memory Initiative has urged the Lagos State Government and tourism agencies to establish a coordinated heritage conservation framework.

President of the initiative, Hunkanlin Ijinla, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Ijinla said the framework should bring together government agencies, traditional institutions, communities, heritage professionals and private-sector stakeholders.

He listed stakeholders as the Badagry Local Government, traditional institutions, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and Nigeria National Commission for UNESCO.

Others include relevant Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, Lagos State tourism and cultural institutions, tour guides and tourism practitioners.

Heritage professionals, historians, community leaders, youth and women groups, museums, educational institutions, investors and diaspora organisations should also participate.

He further listed NGOs, civil society organisations, development partners and international heritage organisations among stakeholders to be involved.

Mr Ijinla said the framework should begin with systematic documentation of Badagry’s historical and cultural heritage resources.

“We need systematic documentation of our historical buildings, monuments, sacred places, traditional institutions, oral histories, cultural practices, routes, waterfronts and archaeological resources.

“What is not documented can easily be forgotten, so heritage conservation cannot wait until our historical structures and cultural landscapes disappear,” Mr Ijinla said.

He called for deliberate efforts to identify vulnerable heritage resources and develop appropriate conservation and management measures.

“The NCMM already has a national mandate covering documentation, conservation, preservation and management of cultural heritage,” he said.

Mr Ijinla said the “Point of No Return” should be developed as a professionally interpreted heritage destination, rather than merely another tourist attraction.

“Visitors should be able to understand the history, the people, the routes, the landscape and the human stories associated with the site,” he said.

He stressed that Badagry residents should play meaningful roles in developing and promoting the area’s heritage.

“Tour guides, boat operators, artisans, souvenir producers, women, young people, historians, cultural practitioners, traditional institutions and local businesses should participate,” he said.

Mr Ijinla said Badagry’s possible journey towards UNESCO recognition required research, documentation, comparative analysis and conservation planning.

He also emphasised the need for community participation and compliance with appropriate Nigerian institutional processes.

“It should become a professional, evidence-based and community-supported heritage programme,” he said.

Mr Ijinla said heritage conservation and tourism could complement each other when properly planned and managed.

“If properly managed, heritage tourism can create opportunities for employment, local businesses, tour guiding, transportation, hospitality, crafts, food, cultural performances, research, education and investment,” he said.

He said the NCMM recognised partnerships with states, local governments and the private sector as part of its approach to heritage conservation.

“This is perhaps the most important message of this open letter. Badagry’s history is part of the history of Nigeria,” he said.

He added that Badagry’s heritage was also connected to wider African and global histories.

“Therefore, the responsibility for protecting and presenting that history should not rest upon one traditional institution, one government agency, one local government, one organisation or one individual,” he said.

Mr Ijinla called for a multi-stakeholder Badagry Heritage Roundtable involving the community, traditional institutions, Badagry Local Government and the Lagos State Government.

He also proposed the participation of the NCMM, Nigeria National Commission for UNESCO and relevant tourism and cultural organisations.

According to him, the roundtable will develop a coordinated roadmap for documenting, conserving, interpreting, developing and internationally promoting Badagry’s heritage.

(NAN)