Archaeology elicits great psychological and emotional feelings in those who understand its essence. But it thrives on what the history books recorded as well as what human hands were able to maintain.
Thanks to the government of Lagos state, the first storey building in Nigeria located in Badagry, Lagos state, is not only still standing, but has continued to attract tourists. According to the officer in charge of the site, Mr. Hodonu Daniel, the building attracted over 9,000 visitors in 2017. Mr. Daniel told newsmen in Badagry, last Tuesday, that the number of tourists that visited the 171-year-old structure was higher than the 5,140 recorded in 2016.
The foundation of the building was laid in 1842 and was completed in 1845. In Mr. Daniel’s words, “We have been able to attract more tourists to this site because of the proper maintenance of the place; we have been able to preserve its originality”.
He expatiated further, “The figure was higher than the corresponding year due to the genuine efforts made to attract tourists to the historic sites despite the daunting challenges we faced. I’m sure that the patronage would be higher this year”.
Mr. Daniel urged the government to speed up the rehabilitation of the Badagry expressway so as to increase patronage of tourist sites in Badagry. “The major challenge that we face is the deplorable state of the road, as this discourages tourists from coming to the various historic sites in the city’’.
Observers believe that the conclusion of the rehabilitation work going on along the Lagos-Badagry Express Way would certainly increase patronage of the storey building as well as other sites in Badagry.
Mr. Daniel urged the federal and state governments to give the structure a facelift, pointing out that for now, the maintenance work was being handled by concerned church groups in the area.
