Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, has disclosed that Nigeria intends to boost its century old heritage relationship with Brazil with focus on economic development.
He said should enhance its cultural tourism with the South America country, which is the fifth largest nation in the world.
He further stated that the window of relationship sustained by the thriving community of Brazilian Descendants in Lagos Island would get the Federal Government the necessary assistance through factoring its iconic festival into Nigeria’s cultural festival calendar.
He also appreciated the support and recognition of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State in the ongoing efforts by Brazilian Descendants Association in preserving the history and architecture of Brazilian Nigerians in diaspora in Lagos Island.
Mohammed, represented by Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), explained that the first generation of Nigerians who were taken by the Portuguese slave merchants, left an enduring legacies of Yoruba culture, which according to him has become a veritable platform of cultural and historical relationship between Nigeria and Brazil, today.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Afro Brazilian Cultural centre in Brazilian Quarters, Popo Aguda Lagos Island, on Easter Monday, the Minister noted 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.
He said: “I want to thank Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide sanwo-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.”
Mrs. Ibijoke sanwo-Olu, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, who cut the tape to open the Afro Brazilian Descendants centre, commended the efforts of the association and noted that carnival festival celebration in Lagos nay Nigeria 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 Runsewe whom she recognized as the pivot of Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy.
Hon. 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 the 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 Centre of the Brazilian Descendants association was geared towards bringing close to the community, easy access to all that needed to be known about historical narratives of Nigerian descendants in Brazil.
