The first storey building in Nigeria located in Badagry, Lagos State, recorded 5,140 visitors from January to December 2016.

The facility manager of the site, Mr Hodonu Daniel, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry that the tourists that visited the 171-year-old- structure in 2016 were higher than the corresponding years.

NAN reports that the foundation of the building was laid in 1842 and construction work on the building was completed in 1845.

“We have been able to attract more tourists to this site because of the proper maintenance of the place and we have been able to preserve its originality.

“In year 2015, those that visited the site were 3,457 but we were able to increase the number due to the historic nature of this site.

“The peak period is usually during Christmas, New Year, Easter, Sallah and whenever students are in session,” he said.

He said that Nigerians should be more patriotic in visiting the various monuments in the country.

“Nigerians should imbibe the habit of visiting the various museums and monuments in the country in order to boost tourism development in the country.

“Students patronise the building more than others and that isn’t good enough,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to support the management in giving the building a facelift noting that it was only the Anglican Church that had been carrying out that task.