Kunle Adelabu
The new Consul General of the United States Mission in Nigeria, Mr Rick Swart, on Sunday, paid a visit to the King Kosoko palace and museum at Ereko, Lagos.
Swart, who took over as the Consul General from JoEllen Gorg in July, and representing the US government across 17 states in southern Nigeria, visited the museum along with his wife.
Kosoko museum is one of the places of interests that the new diplomats have decided to visit
They were welcomed to the museum by Prince Sikiru Kosoko, the General Secretary of the King Kosoko Royal Family of Lagos who represented the Head of the family, Alhaja Mutiat Abimbola Ashabi Alli-Balogun and the Oloja of Lagos – elect/museum curator, Prince Abiola Kosoko, and other family members.
On behalf of the family head who is celebrating her 96th birthday anniversary, Prince Kosoko appreciated the Consul General and his wife, for the visit.
He said that the palace comprises of the 163 years old Kosoko palace, a mini museum where the late King Kosoko’s letters and business correspondences with Europeans, royal paraphernalia and his personal items are kept, and also 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 letter written by a former American President to late Prince Kosoko, the grandson of late Oba Kosoko, who was a foremost photographer.
He sought for the family partnership with the US Consulate in further development of the museum and its preservation.
Mr Swart, in his brief remarks, thanks the family for having him in their museum.
“Thank you for having me in your palace. It is such a wonderful place which has so much history.
“Meeting all of you today as really brought us to life”
He also rejoiced with the Kosoko family head who is celebrating 96th birthday anniversary and wished her good health.
Swart, who is overseeing US efforts aimed at deepening trade, strengthening ties with Nigerians, and advancing key U.S-Nigeria priorities in the region, is a career diplomat and previously served as the 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.
He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali before joining the State Department in 2002.
