By Olamilekan Okeowo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the Ipada Initiative and Ipada Carnival 2024, throwing the weight of the federal government behind the cultural tourism project while giving marching orders to the state and local governments including ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to give necessary support to ensure the success of the cultural event.
The President disclosed his support for the project in an official letter through the Minister of Tourism, Mrs Lola Ade-John, to the Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who is the initiator of the project, as part of his Motherland Beckons’ activations that are geared at promoting not just only Nigeria but the entire African continent and Africans in Diaspora.
The letter, which was personally signed by the President, reads in part,:
‘‘I write to express my support for the Ipada Initiative and the Ipada Carnival, both of which are being promoted by Motherland Beckons in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Tourism. These initiatives represent a signified opportunity to grow tourism in Nigeria and across West Africa.
‘‘As I understand, the objective of the initiative is to promote the idea of a ‘‘return to Africa’’ among the people of African descent and enthusiasts of African culture living around the world. Lagos, Nigeria, is envisioned to be the gateway through which this initiative will expand the African tourism industry.’’
President Tinubu further spotlighted the benefits of the project in the promotion of Africa and offering a gateway for Africans in the Diaspora to connect with the continent through Nigeria and explore their ancestral home in a very unique expedition that Ipada Initiative portends.
‘‘One of the key features of the Initiative is to provide tourists, especially those from the Americas and the Caribbean, with an opportunity to explore their roots through a cultural pilgrimage. This journey, captured by the phrase ‘‘from Slave Ships to Cruise Ships,’’ allows participants to retrace the historical paths sailed by their ancestors during the trans-Atlantic salve trade, now transformed into a luxurious experience,’’ wrote the President.
This is as he enjoined the Ministry of Tourism and Akinboboye with his team to engage with all relevant MDAs and state and local governments for necessary support. ‘‘I expect that you will engage with all relevant ministries, agencies and local governments to ensure they provide all necessary support. This includes facilitating the docking of large cruise ships, a staple of the lucrative international tourism industry, in Nigeria, thereby bringing thousands of tourists to our shores.’’
President Tinubu further wrote, ‘‘additionally, the initiative aims to promote the annual Ipada Carnival in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos, near the Lekki Deep Seaport. This event will serve as a focal point for tourists who wish to experience the diverse sights, sounds and tastes of the continent from which their ancestors originated.’’
The President concluded his letter by declaring, ‘‘I am highly supportive of the Initiative and look forward to the successful hosting of the maiden edition of the Ipada Carnival.
‘‘Thank you for your continued efforts to enhance Nigeria’s tourism sector.’’
Ipada Initiative is scheduled to hold between November 28 and December 8, 2024 at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ikegun Village, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos.
Over five million people are targeted to come through the project that would also offer the tourists the platform to explore business opportunities in Africa through the Business Unusual programme, which entails a number of activations that will be unveiled during the 10 days event.
It should be noted that since the unveiling of the project by Akinboboye it has garnered support and endorsements from different corporate bodies, international organisations and individuals including the Minister of Tourism who was the first to throw her weight behind it and state governments like Lagos, Ondo and Ekiti.
President Tinubu’s support and endorsement of the project, with a promise to rally the entire country behind Akinboboye, is historic as this would be the first time in the annals of the country that a President of the country will come out to support an individual operator’s initiative aimed at promoting Nigerian and African cultural tourism sector to the global audience
