By Babajide Awoyinfa
No fewer than 300 Africans in the diaspora are set to return to Nigeria in October for a 14-day homecoming and investment tour spanning Lagos and Calabar.
The initiative is a partnership between the Creative Industry Group (CIG) and the Global United Christians Congress of Africa and the Diaspora (GUCCAD).
President of CIG, Felix Duke, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
According to him, delegates are expected from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Belize, and other Caribbean Islands, as well as African Americans.
He said the group was honoured by GUCCAD’s request for partnership.
Duke said the aim was reconnecting descendants of Africa from across the Caribbean and the Americas with their roots, while exploring investment opportunities in Nigeria.
He also described the forthcoming event as a “significant journey of homecoming by our brothers and sisters”.
“We are fully committed to handling all necessary logistics including transportation, hospitality, security, and full immersion in Nigeria’s vibrant artistic and heritage landscape,” Duke said.
He added that CIG would leverage its wide network across entertainment, media, tourism, and government to ensure maximum visibility, official goodwill, and national relevance for the event.
“Therefore, we kindly request that a dedicated day within the itinerary be hosted in Lagos, to allow us welcome the delegation on home soil.
“Lagos stands not only as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center but also as the heartbeat of the creative and cultural industries,” he said.
According to Duke, CIG will also facilitate extensive media coverage both locally and internationally, and link the delegation with stakeholders in Nigeria’s entertainment and creative sectors.
“We will coordinate with relevant government institutions for possible conferment of recognition and honourary citizenship on participants.
“In addition, CIG will collaborate with GUCCAD on a low-budget film project set for 2026, which will feature local casting, location support, and promotional partnerships.”
Duke said the programme, billed to run from Oct. 10 to Oct. 22, will feature cultural tours, business networking, and heritage experiences across Lagos and Calabar.
Also, GUCCAD, through its arts and entertainment arm, noted that the homecoming is part of its wider mission of reconciliation and cultural restoration.
“As kingdom ambassadors, we are committed to reconciling the children of Africa and all humanity, not only to the motherland, but also to God, our creator,” the organisation stated. (NAN)