The much talked about Africa Celebrates 2024, the West African edition, kicked off yesterday evening with resounding performances from different parts of West Africa.
The 3-day event started on a good note with brilliant weather as early arrival of guests at the 65 acres of beach front known as La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, witnessed activities on all the land space.
Arrival Dinner took place at the Yoru’Bar African restaurant within the resort, where guests watched their food being cooked in African style, while enjoying the panoramic view of the resort, as well as enjoying the dances from Boukina Faso, Guinea and the Gambia.
The Lagos State Governor, His Excellency, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was ably represented by his Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, who came with an entourage. Dignitaries from all walks of life, graced the Arrival Dinner event, and among them was Her Royal Majesty, Queen Aruk 11, Obonganwan Marie Ikpeme Erete, a traditional ruler in Eniong Abatim in Odukpani local government area of Cross River, who brought with her, a 50 member Royal dance troupe from her kingdom in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.
Indeed, it was an evening of regal, traditional, colourful, cultural dances from the western region of Africa.
The long evening turned out to be too short, because there was so much to see as guests dined and wined, listening and watching good entertainment.
Speaking during one of the short interludes, the promoter of Africa Celebrates, Mr Lexy Mojo-Eyes, said that he is marvelled at the various performances, that he had so far seen. “Africa is indeed so blessed with much culture, Arts and Creativity, and what we are seeing this evening, is just a tip of the iceberg.”
He went on to reel out the importance of Africa Celebrates. The importance for Africans to have the opportunity to come together as one to celebrate all the good things about Africa through Arts, Culture, Heritage, Tech and Business. “This is the regional event which is also taking place in other regions of the continent, while the grand finale, will be taking place in Addis Ababa, between October and November, later this year.”
The host, Tourism Icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye proudly welcomed all the guests to La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, and to the 3-day event saying, “You ain’t seen nothing yet! We have a load of more and more things to see!”
He spoke of the need for Africans to come together for strategic growth of the continent. And after reeling out statistics that enumerated the strength and endowments of Africans around the world, he asked all present to ponder on why Africa with so much endowments should be so poor! Actually the poorest of all the continents.
He made a wake up call to Africans to sit up and be proud to be an African no matter where they reside around the world.
