Mushin LG chairman takes primary school pupils on historical Badagry tour to celebrate World Tourism Day

Mushin LG chairman takes primary school pupils on historical Badagry tour to celebrate World Tourism Day

By Kazeem Akande

The Chairman Mushin Local Government, Mr Tunbosun Aruwe, has sponsored a heritage tour of Badagry for public primary school pupils to mark the 2026 World Tourism Day.

The Newmen reports that the excursion broke away from traditional classroom confines, allowing the young learners to witness firsthand the historical, cultural, and slave trade sites that define Nigeria’s heritage.

Aruwe in his remarks said during excursion that education must stretch beyond conventional classroom walls.

“A child should not only read history; a child should have the opportunity to experience history.

When our pupils see the places they have been taught about, ask questions, and interact with their surroundings, learning becomes more meaningful and memorable.

“We are building for the future, and our children are at the centre of that future,” he said.

Aruwe added that the development was to ensure the trip was both memorable and academically productive as the council distributed writing materials and other educational items to the participating pupils.

Mr Paul Stephen, an instructor speaking at the Brazilian Barracoon, an instructor at the facility, lauded the initiative as unprecedented in the nation’s history.

“As far as I know, this has never happened in the history of Nigeria, where a Local Government Chairman would bring public primary school pupils to a place like this to learn about our history,.

“We only receive private school pupils and students. What chairman Aruwe has done is commendable because these children are not just hearing about history; they are seeing it for themselves,” he added.

Mr Folarin Fashola, the Head of Unit for Tourism and Local Government Heritage Maintenance, said that the Badagry tour marks the second phase of the Aruwe administration’s educational exposure programme.

Fashola said that the inaugural phase previously took pupils to the Lagos State House of Assembly to introduce them to the workings of the legislative arm of government and practical civic responsibility.

He said that the pupils toured major historical landmarks including, the Badagry Heritage Museum, the First Storey building in Nigeria, the Seriki Slave Market, the Brazilian Barracoon and the historic Point of No Return,” Fashola said.

Abdulsalam Adeola, one of the participants expressed immense enthusiasm over the real-world application of their studies.

Adeola of Mainland Model Primary School noted that seeing the sites physically made the classroom lessons much clearer.

Janet Samson of another participant remarked that history has now come alive as a connection to real people and places.

“As we are going back to our classrooms we are now equipped with enhanced historical awareness, new perspectives, and renewed curiosity regarding Nigeria’s cultural heritage,” she said.(NAN)