The Oloja of Lagos–elect, Prince Abiola Kosoko, has appealed for a partnership with the United States Consulate for the further development and preservation of King Kosoko’s palace and museum.

The appeal was made when the new Consul General of the United States Mission in Nigeria, Mr Rick Swart, paid a visit to the museum at Ereko, Lagos.
Swart, who took over from JoEllen Gorg in July, representing the US government across 17 states in southern Nigeria, visited the museum along with his wife.

The visitors were welcomed by the General Secretary of the King Kosoko Royal Family of Lagos, Prince Sikiru Kosoko, who represented the Head of the family, Alhaja Mutiat Abimbola Ashabi Alli-Balogun and the Oloja of Lagos–elect, among other family members.

While addressing the visitor, Prince Kosoko hinted that the 163 years-old palace consists of a mini museum, where the late King Kosoko’s letters and business correspondences with Europeans, royal paraphernalia and his personal items are kept, and the main museum, which has hundreds of the late Lagos monarch’s relics, and other important items about Lagos and Nigeria.

He also showcased the items, including a letter written by a former American President to the late Prince Kosoko, the grandson of the late Oba Kosoko, who was a foremost photographer.

In his brief remarks, Swart, who thanked the family for allowing him to visit the museum, said it was a wonderful place with a great deal of history. “Meeting all of you today has really brought us to life,” he said.

Swart, who oversees U.S. efforts aimed at deepening trade, strengthening ties with Nigerians, and advancing key U.S.-Nigeria priorities in the region, is a career diplomat who previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Chad.

His past assignments have taken him to Congo, Burundi, Iraq, Geneva, London, Manila, and Dubai, among others.