An incident occurred when some international visitors were stopped at Badagry on the Lagos lagoon on their way from Lagos Island to experience Badagry. The officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service at that location who  stopped the visitors said that visitors in a country can not visit tourist sites with a business visa. It was also sad that the immigration officers refused to acknowledge the visa, bio data and passport shown to them by some of the tourists from their phones, the officers eagerly said that they only operate manually. We told them that technology has made things easy and they can get any confirmation they seek. We told them that it wasn't easy to convince these visitors to visit or do business in Nigeria.  Their reaction was unprofessional and a national embarrassment. They flaunted handcuffs to further intimidate the visitors. We market and promote Nigeria as an international tourist destination and it had not been easy. The immigration officers intimidation...

This is a thought provoking image on the wall of a shrine at Warakoh quarters, in the compound of Chief Fihento of Badagry, which depicts a European holding an umbrella over the head of an African chief, who is smoking tobacco from a pipe. This image is significant for several reasons. It's a symbol of wealth and importance. The umbrella and tobacco pipe signify the chief's wealth and status. It highlights the rich cultural heritage and social structures of African kingdoms. The image also reveals the complex dynamics between European colonizers and African chiefs. The European colonizers befriended the African chiefs to achieve their imperial goals, which ultimately led to the destruction of African community structures. The image is also a testimony to Africa's powerful kingdoms. It serves as a powerful reminder of Africa's rich history and the strength of its kingdoms. I am bringing this to the fore to encourage Africans to reclaim their heritage and look beyond pove...

There's a significant shift in travel behavior post-COVID-19. This was driven by the increasing costs of travel. This trend is often referred to as "multi-destination travel" or "hub-and-spoke travel". It involves visiting multiple destination in a single trip to maximize value and minimize costs. In the frame of reference of West Africa, travellers are now combining visits to nearby countries, such as Senegal, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, and Togo, with a stop over in Nigeria. This idea allows travellers to experience multiple cultures, landscapes, and attractions while reducing overall travel expenses. However, entering Nigeria through land borders can be challenging and frustrating experience. The lengthy processing times, and corruption are some of the plague affecting border crossing into Nigeria.  The important position of the Immigration authourity in any country is key to the development of domestic tourism and especially inbound tourism. There sho...

Madam Efunroye Tinubu's legacy is indeed complex, reflecting the nuanced history of Africa during the colonial era. Initially, she was a slave trader, leveraging her connections with Europeans and royalties to trade slaves, gunpowder, palm oil, and other goods. However, after encountering former slave returnees from the Americas who shared their horrific experiences, she underwent a significant transformation. These returnees, bearing slave branding on their bodies, exposed Tinubu to the atrocities of slavery, prompting her to shift allegiance and support African resistance against European colonizers. Her resistance involved supplying gunpowder and ammunition to Africans in the hinterland, ultimately leading to her expulsion from Lagos. Madam Tinubu's actions against European interests were likely viewed as a threat, resulting in her banishment to Badagry, where she lost two sons to malaria, and later Abeokuta, where she died in 1887. The misrepresentation of Madam Tinubu'...

BIOGRAPHY James Akeem Anago-Osho is a distinguished cultural diplomat, antiquarian, and tourism professional, renowned for promoting community-based and sustainable tourism. He bridges the gap between Africa and the African Diaspora through his work. KEY ROLES and AFFILIATION  1. Curator, Slave Museum Badagry & Afro-Brazilian Cultural Centre Lagos Island 2. Proprietor and Chief tour guide, Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures (Anago Osho Adventures) 3. CEO, Global Anago Adventures Limited 4. Co-Founder & President, Association Of History, Nature And Culture Tour Guides - Nigeria (AHNACTOURGUIDES) 5. Vice President, Nigeria Association Of Tour Operators (NATOP) SOUTH WEST ZONE 6. Founder, Badagry Historical Tour & Benin Republic English Tour 7. Roots Reconnection Researcher 8. Ambassador for DNA Tested African Descendants EXPERTISE  1. Cultural diplomacy 2. Community-based tourism 3. Sustainable tourism development 4. African historical curation 5. Antiquity and social...

FORMER "RUFF RYDERS" MEMBER TASHA, TOUR NIGERIA WITH OTHER VISITORS WITH DNA CONNECTIONS by ANAGO-OSHO  Anago-Osho's history tour of Nigeria with Tasha, Kay and Mama Haiti (Million) was a transformative experience, bridging cultural divides and reconnecting African diasporic roots. It was a great journey and Tasha said, "Anago, oh! they lied to us. I should have visited Nigeria earlier". The tour visits took us to many unplanned places of interests, but the highlights of the tour includes the tour to the Art and Craft Market, Kalakuta Museum where we met Kunle Kuti (Fela Kuti's son) and Shola (an architect). The Badagry Tour was an exploration of historic Landmarks, especially the "Point of No Return". The Slave route is important to Anago-Osho and he has a unique spiritual service to it. The history trip to Nigeria has DNA connections to it: Tasha have discovered her Hausa/Fulani/Tikar roots via DNA tests. Million celebrated her Haitian Yoruba ...

My heart breaks every time I guide tourists in Makoko. I have witnessed on many occasions how human beings live in a terrible environment. Is Makoko suitable as a tourist destination? Does Makoko have the characteristics of a tourist destination? The community's living conditions are inhumane and shameful to the country.  What are the characteristics of a tourist destination? These characteristics will attract tourists to carry out their activities. Makoko lacks essential tourism infrastructure: comfort, accessibility, tourism resources, and facilities. Have you ever heard of "slum tourism"? It is also known as "ghetto tourism," "poverty tourism," "trauma tourism," etc. According to Human Rights in Tourism, "slum tourism involves touring marginalized and impoverished areas that tourists would normally never visit."  Slum tourism refers to the practice of visiting impoverished areas, often in urban environments, to witness firsthand ...

Mr. Abiodun Bello, a 40-year resident of the United States, embarked on a journey to connect with his roots in continental Africa. His involvement in pan-African activities led him to visit Ghana during the Year of Return and Nigeria for the Osun Osogbo International Festival. Seeking a deeper understanding of his heritage, Mr. Bello reached out to his cousin, Mrs. Taiwo Salvador, who recommended Amb. Anago-Osho, a renowned tour guide and cultural diplomat, to lead a roots connection and Slave history tour in Badagry. Desiring a family reunion, Mr. Bello invited his siblings, nieces, and nephews to join the tour. As a father, he wanted his American-born children to connect with their Nigerian heritage and meet their extended family. On the morning of the tour, Mr. Bello contacted Amb. Anago-Osho, eager to begin his journey of discovery and reunification." Mr. Bello had envisioned the tour as a family reunion, and he was thrilled to have his brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces j...

Oh, forces of nature, envelop me in divine comfort. My beloved king, Kabiyesi Oba Adejuyigbe Adefunmi II, your passing leaves me in shock. Yet, I take solace in knowing your spirit remains with us forever. Your dreams of preserving our heritage, uniting Africa and the diaspora, and empowering the youth shall endure. You graciously opened the village to those seeking understanding, continuing your father's legacy with kindness and humility. I'm honored to have met your sister during my Nigerian history tour and to have shared my 2003 tribute song to your father with you. Your dedication to Yoruba culture and heritage preservation is inspiring. May your family, in Oyotunji and worldwide, find comfort in the knowledge that your memory and legacy will live on through us." May this tribute be a fitting celebration of your life and legacy.  Anago-Osho

 

Ambassador Anago-Osho, elected as NATOP SOUTH-WEST REGION VICE PRESIDENT during Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) 8th AGM 2024, at Ilorin, Kwara state.  In a portrait with Nigeria's minister of Tourism and Culture, Mrs Lola Ade-John and the newly elected NATOP President, Hajia Bolaji Mustapha at the dolby-fitted studio at Tate and Lyle Sugar Factory designed to establish Kwara as a premier hub for last mile movie production and the creative industry in West Africa. #anagooshoadventures #globalanagoadventures #touroperatoranago #natopagm24  #KwaraAgm2024  #NATOP

James Akeem Anago-Osho is a talented Storyteller and Antiquarian. He conducts special tours and promotes community and sustainable tourism. He is an author, a renowned cultural diplomat and advocate of African perspectives in African historical curation. He is a slave history and roots reconnection researcher. He is ambassador for DNA Tested African Descendants. He is a multiple award winning tourism proffessional and curator at the Slave Museum Badagry and the Afro-Brazilian Cultural Centre Lagos Island. He serves as a bridge between Africa and Africa Diaspora. He is the Proprietor of Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures. Anago Osho has toured thousands of Black people from Diaspora across Nigeria and West Africa. He believes that the reconnection of Africa and Africa Diaspora is one of his primary mission earth. He founded Global Anago Adventures Limited. He is a co-founder and President of Association Of History, Nature And Culture Tour Guides - Nigeria  (AHNACTG). He is the Secret...

The trip was a down to earth tour because these African tourists from France were interested in participating in the daily experiences of commutters in Nigeria and Benin Republic. Public transports were boarded on both sides of the border except at Ganvie which is a village on water (on Lake Nokoue) near Cotonou. It was only in Ganvie that we chartered a private tourist boat. Ganvie is probably the largest Village on water in Africa. The experience was a showcase of one public transport experience that was governed by rules, where levies are paid by the commercial transport Operators at the office and not on the road which provides a smooth journey and the difference between it and a chartered transport was not far apart except for time and schedules. The experiences on the other side; Nigeria, is different and it's advisable for the tourist to charter transport during tours. The Lagos-Badagry road had nearly been completed and the journey was so thorough because of the good road...

During a discussion with a colleague, I emphasized that the role of tour drivers in ensuring a smooth tour is not just to drive. It includes other skills. She responded by saying "what matters is for the driver to drive us safely to our destination". I replied that I agree with her, but a tourism driver requires other skills which will compliment the tour either positively or negatively. In the tourism industry, the duty of the tourism driver is beyond driving of vehicle. The position of tourism drivers are usually undermined. The undermining may affect the impression the tour company have worked hard to create on the minds of the clients. Who is a tourism driver? A tourism or tour driver understands support and customer services by been respectful, render assistance and develop mutual association with the visitors and are concerned about transporting visitors safely to their destination. The way the tour driver dresses matters. He must be smartly dressed. The smile on the fa...

Walk for Love Africa is also organizing a business training for SMEs and Startups in the travel and tourism industry on the 29th, March 2024. This is a great opportunity to learn, gain knowledge and network with the pace setters of the industry. The facilitators are: Isaac Moses  CEO, Goge Africa Nneka Isaac-Moses  MD, Goge Africa  Amb. Anago Osho  CEO, Global Anago Adventures Limited, Anago James Akeem Osho Adventures 

  This is a pan African symbol of unity found in several African cultures. It is popular with the Yoruba, Hausa, Bushongo etc. This knot symbol literaly means unity. It traditionally means that everyone in the community must search for ways to unite one another for the development of the community rather than divide it. This African symbol shows the importance of unity and the involvement of everyone in community development in a typical African setting. Today, the symbol is also adopted as one of the principles of Kwanzaa. It is known as Umoja in Kwanzaa. It is known by different names; Yoruba knot, Arewa knot, etc. The symbol is seen on old Yoruba clothes such as aso oke, aso etu, etc. An example of such clothes could be found at Seriki Faremilekun Williams Abass's Slave Museum and Brazilian Baracoon built in the 1840's in Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria. In Yorubaland, it symbolizes respect for community, unity of purpose and how everyone's action affect the society either p...

1. What are your expectations for Nigeria tourism in general for 2024? My expectation for the year 2024 is for all tiers of government to support and create an enabling environment for tourism entrepreneurs. Their offices should be opened for questions, complaints, suggestions, and challenges in the tourism industry. This will encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any concerns the practitioners may have. As the Federal Government of Nigeria have created a sole ministry for tourism in 2023, which was very much anticipated by tourism practitioners across the country, the move was a step in the right direction. However, the new minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John who assumed office on the 21st of August 2023, have not been able to act because she have been battling against illness. The ministry had been dormant since it was created last year. I will suggest that a committee is selected from the private tourism practitioners. This committee will work with the ministry...

The purpose of the reconnection between Africa and Africa Diaspora is family re-union and support system for each other. In the words of John Keats, from his poem "Endymion", for me, to contribute and promote the African re-union with Africa Diaspora is "a thing of beauty is a joy forever". It means that fulfilling the hope of the ancestors in reconciling the families at home and Diaspora is beautiful and beauty has the power to bring joy that lasts beyond the immediate moment. This task is divine and beyond tangible gains. Everyone on this path, either from the motherland Africa or Africa Diaspora (overseas) must understand that the purpose is true reconnection which will aide the support system for all engaging communities.  It's the desire of the ancestors to bridge the oceans. As a true ambassador of the "cause", i make it known to those who don't know that to reconnect families in Diaspora to the motherland is not a childs play. It is not busi...

Christina (41) and her mum Barbara (60) are African American tourists from Memphis, Tennesse and i was suprised and at the same time excited to learn from them that as fashionistas, they are motivated by Nigerian fashion. ' According to Christina, who is the co-owner of SMURFEY restaurant in Memphis, she watches the Nigerian show "Young, Famous and African" on NEFLIX. She watches all the fashion shows on YOUTUBE. She love Nigeria fashion the best and she said, "Nigerian fashion is innovative. It's bold. I like the colours. I like the traditional prints and the regular prints. I think it's the best". The visitors keen interest in history and  Nigerian fashion was made known from the onset so in creating the tour itinerary for the trip "the fashion experience" became a priority. Unfortunately, the Lagos Fashion Week ended a week before the visitors arrived. We missed the GTCO Fashion Weekend by a day. Again, their departure date is before the Abu...

The importance of the Post Office seems to be dwindling in many countries due to diverse methods of communication but the Post Office is still a sacred place to some of us. I usually add it to my tour itinerary when ever i have tourists/visitors that are stamp collectors or lovers of history and antiques. A post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letters and parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. Post offices may offer additional services, which vary by country.  During the week i was able to help the Post office sell many post cards, stamps and old stamps were brought out for the stamp collectors in the group. For some of us the Post Office also reminds us of the "Pen-Pal era" when we regularly write to each other, via postal mail.  Pen pals or Pen friends are usually strangers whose relationship is based primarily, or even solely, on their exchange of letters. Le...

The Badagry Diaspora Festival is rooted in the experience characterized by culture and historical connection to continental Africa by Africa Diaspora. It's a sign of the unflinching acceptance of families in Diaspora by Nigeria. The uniqueness of Badagry Diaspora Festival and the Door of Return project exhumes from a place of determination, purpose and divineness. The consistency and determination of purpose despite all odds are dexterous. Despite the efforts to disconnect the root from the branches, unprecedented consciousness, cultural and divine energy continues to work in individuals and groups of people back home in the motherland and in Africa Diaspora with the objective of uniting disconnected families across the Atlantic.  According to Hon. (Mrs) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), during a joint Press Conference at Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre Alausa, Lagos says the 2023, 4th Edition of Badagry Door Of Return Festival scheduled to ho...