Tinubu Endorses Ipada Initiative, Commends Akinboboye’s Dedication To Nigeria, African Tourism

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 all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to give all necessary support to ensure the suc­cess of the cultural event.

The President disclosed his sup­port and that of the entire country 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 Africa continent and Africans in Diaspora including lovers of Africa.

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 the 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,’’ allow partic­ipants to retrace the historical paths sailed by their ancestors during the trans-Atlantic slave trade, now transformed into a luxurious expe­rience,’’ wrote the President.

This is as he enjoined the Minis­try of Tourism and Akinboboye and 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 at enhancing Nige­ria’s tourism sector.’’

Ipada Initiative is scheduled to be held between November 28 and December 8 at La Campagne Trop­icana Beach Resort in Ikegun Vil­lage, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, Lagos. Over five million people are targeted to come through the project which would also offer the tourists the platform to explore business oppor­tunities in Africa through the Busi­ness Unusual programme, which entails much activation that will be unveiled during the 10-day 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.