PUBLIC TRANSPORT TOUR: Three days Badagry - Ganvie Social Studies tour of Nigeria and Benin Republic By Anago-Osho

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 roads, except for the commercial buses that pick passengers at undesignated bus stops along the road.

This trip shows the beauty of peoples struggle for daily survival from two different countries and how slow and steady can win the race. In the case of Nigeria, there should be a conscious efforts to transform the country and especially the tourism sphere that has so much potentials which will benefit the people. Benin Republic on the other has improved it's tourism infrastructures to International standards. Good road networks leads to all tourist sites. The attraction sites across the country had been rennovated and improved. This includes both government and privately owned attraction centres. There are support for family or privately owned museums and heritage sites.

I recollect a time during an event when a tourism commissioner of a state in Nigeria was not interested in visiting or give support to a museum, and i wondered why? He said, "it's not owned by the government. It's not government property". I was amazed because i thought all heritage sites either managed by the government ministries or privately owned as long as it promotes the state, country, creativity, art, history, culture or community, should be supported by the government.

I think proffessionalism is key by putting a round peg in a round hole. I know that there are laws in the states to protect and support such struggle.

The trip was an experience for the visitors. The great tourism potentials of Nigeria and the kindness and friendliness of individual Nigerians that  they met on the journey was a turn on, and major positive key to the impression these tourists have about Nigeria.