Brazil — The commissioning of the Nigeria Cultural House in Pelourinho, the slave port city of Salvador in Bahia State has once again highlighted the renewed vigour and passion in the promotion of tourism industry.

But for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, the credit shouldn't only go to the government but Nigerians who supported the government to realise this 10- year-old dream.

The dream started in 1998 when the Brazilian government through the Bahia State and the Santa Casa de Misericordia da Bahia (SCMB), donated the house to Nigeria to facilitate cultural and social exchanges between the two nations.

But the syndrome of abandoning projects in Nigeria also visited the edifice which was abandoned. This made brazil to severally threaten to retrieve the house. However, the official commissioning of the edifice amidst colourful carnival display by the National Troupe of Nigeria and black community of Salvador has saved Nigeria of that once lingering embarrassment.

Prince Kayode said the house would not only assert the presence of Nigeria but open another chapter in the history of cultural and economic relationship between the two countries.

"With this step, we have started negotiation to see how we can follow up on the huge steps that we have taken already. For me, I am very happy that the flag of Nigeria is now flying very clearly right in the heart of Bahia,

"The opportunity that this creates is very huge, not only in culture and tourism but also in business, petrochemicals, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture and transport," he said.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil, Mr. Kayode Garrick, described the house as an important step to reach-out to the world, saying Nigeria is now the third African country after the Republic of Benin and Angola to have a cultural house in Salvador.

The minister was however not alone in the epoch-making event as he was supported by some directors of the ministry, Nigerian Embassy in Brazil, the black community and tourists.

The Director of Tourism, Mrs. Esther Adeyemi was also on hand to support the minister in taking the giant leap.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. Malwi M. Maidugu and the staff of the council also added colour to the white- painted house with the display of various works of arts and crafts.

Representing the government and people of Brazil, were the governor of Bahia, Jaque Wagner, the former Brazilin Ambassador to Nigeria, Pedro Rodrique, politicians and other stakeholders.

Pelourinho is regarded as the most historic slave trade centre and UNESCO World Heritage site, throughout the Americas. Approximately, 80 percent of the population is black mostly from Ghana and Angola.

However, significant percentage of the residents who spoke to Travel and Leisure trace their roots to Nigeria, particularly from the Western part of Nigeria.