Kamsiyochukwu MbamaluNigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have thrown their weight behind the Heritage Voyage of Return initiative, a global movement aimed at reconnecting Afro-descendants with their ancestral homeland. The initiative, championed by The African Pride with Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka as patron, plans a symbolic “homecoming” journey via sea for descendants of enslaved Africans in Brazil, the Caribbean, and the Americas.
During President Tinubu’s recent state visit to Brazil, the two leaders demonstrated their commitment to the initiative. In a landmark meeting, President Lula warmly welcomed Soyinka and requested his blessing, symbolizing mutual respect and solidarity. Lula declared Brazil’s full support for the initiative, citing its potential to heal generational wounds and forge new ties between Africa and South America.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Heritage Voyage of Return was formally presented to Afro-Brazilian leaders and lawmakers at Brazil’s Legislative Chamber, with Soyinka, Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso, and Abike Dabiri-Erewa leading the Nigerian delegation. Cardoso emphasized the shared heritage of Nigeria and Brazil, highlighting opportunities for cultural diplomacy, creative economy growth, heritage tourism, and education.
President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the initiative, describing it as crucial for reconnecting Africa’s scattered sons and daughters and strengthening Nigeria’s role as a spiritual, cultural, and economic hub for the diaspora. Ajoyemi Osunleye, co-founder of The African Pride, noted that the initiative is not just a journey for individuals but a journey of dignity for collective history, declaring that Africa is ready to welcome her children back home with pride.
The initiative aims to:
- Promote Cultural Pride: Fostering a positive image of the continent and reconnecting people to their roots
- Historical Reconnection: Resgating ancestral memory and establishing new bridges between the diaspora and the continent
- Social Justice: Advocating for the rights and dignity of Afro-descendants worldwide
Prime Business Africa reports that, with the backing of Tinubu and Lula, the Heritage Voyage of Return stands at a historic tipping point, poised to catalyze cultural tourism, spiritual reconnection, and economic renewal across Africa and the diaspora.
