50 African-Americans Set To Be Given Local Names As They Arrives Benin City To Trace Their Roots

June 28, 2019
239 Views

50 African American tourists are set to be given local Nigerian names as they have arrived in Benin City, the Edo state capital, to trace their origin.

The tourists, who arrived Benin from California, United States of America (USA), were entertained by the Benin Cultural Troupe and treated to delicious local African dishes, including palm oil fruits soup (banga), blended vegetable (black) soup, owo soup, pounded yam and agidi (corncake) among others.

Speaking to journalists on the reason for the visit, Mr. Andy Ehanire, a representative of Jemi Alade, organisers of the tour, said the Americans were on a rediscovery visit to trace their root. He added:

“They are coming on a pilgrimage to rediscover the home of their ancestors from where they were taken away more than 400 years ago. It is an emotional visit.”

Ehanire said the tour was organized to showcase that these people share a common ancestral heritage with the Benins, so that more African-Americans will be encouraged to visit Benin City and have a feel of the African culture and discover where their ancestors lived.

“Benin is safe. We are civilised and friendly. The tourists will be taken round the city. They will visit the Oba Palace and the Palace of the Enogie of Ugoneki, where they will be given Benin names so they can add to their existing names.”

He said tourism has the potential to grow the economy of the state, noting that some countries have grown their economy with tourist receipts as they receive almost a million tourists on a monthly basis.

“For a place to attract tourist attention, its culture must be unadulterated, there must be security and knowledgeable tour guards,” Ehanire noted.

You may be interested

Arteta Provides Injury Updates On Five Arsenal Players Ahead Palace Clash
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Arteta Provides Injury Updates On Five Arsenal Players Ahead Palace Clash

Webby - December 20, 2024

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori are both available to be in the Gunners…

Carabao Cup: Spurs Edge Man United In Seven-Goal Thriller To Reach Semi-finals
Sports
3 views
Sports
3 views

Carabao Cup: Spurs Edge Man United In Seven-Goal Thriller To Reach Semi-finals

Webby - December 19, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur edged Manchester United 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Thursday.Spurs raced to a 3-0 lead…

Pogba’s Brother Sentenced To Three Years In Prison
Sports
1 views
Sports
1 views

Pogba’s Brother Sentenced To Three Years In Prison

Webby - December 19, 2024

Mathias Pogba, brother of former Manchester United star Paul Pogba, was sentenced Thursday by a Paris criminal court to three…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.