The issue of moving a huge number of people across different continents of the world to Lagos, Nigeria, for the much publicised IPADA Carnival, which will soon be taking place at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort at Ibeju-lekki, Lagos, was one of the major agenda, at the IPADA 2-Day Stakeholders meeting for Tour Operators and others, over the weekend.
The meeting had in attendance, the President of Nigeria Association of Tour Operators, Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, who led a delegation of tour operators from across the country, to the event. At the event was also the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria FTAN), the Managing Director Anxiliary and Loyalty Services of Malaika Air, Karen Hendrickson, and the Chief Host in Lagos, the Governor of Lagos, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was ably represented by the SSA on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe.
IPADA Carnival founded by Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye is an offshoot product of Motherland Beckons which makes a clarion call on Africans in Diaspora and lovers of Africa, to return to the continent to celebrate, interact and jointly develop Africa.
With the approaching date of IPADA Carnival celebration being November 29th to December 8th 2024 and 2025, the stakeholders met at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, to activate and solidify the plan for modalities.
After a welcome speech by the Founder of IPADA Initiative and IPADA Carnival, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, who gave a proper explanation of the whole essence of IPADA the return, Mr. Idris Aregbe seized the initiative of assuring all present, of the commitment of Lagos State Government to the overall success of IPADA Carnival and called on the stakeholders to also ensure their commitment to the success of this global event.
Malaika Air Managing Director spoke about the coming of the airline to Africa, and it’s drive towards opening the Caribbean routes, linking the different continents, especially places where Africans in Diaspora have been known over the years to be domiciled. The Carribbean islands, Brazil and so on. She spoke of an existing partnership between the airline and the founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and IPADA Initiative, to ease the attendance of a huge number of people coming from the Diaspora, to attend IPADA Carnival.
To the delight of the tour operators and others at the 2 Day Stakeholders meeting, Karen Hendrickson of Malaika Air rolled out the different travel packages that are available from next month November for travellers moving between the different continents to Lagos – Nigeria. Everyone found this a relieve, because of its convenience, being direct flights with no transit visas. And the tour operators readily keyed into this scheduled flight arrangements which will commence early November.
The stakeholders meeting also gave the tour operators an opportunity to agree to a partnership with La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort for a continuous working relationship even after the celebration in December this year, since IPADA “The Return” is a continuous thing.
Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye spoke more on this:
“IPADA the return began at the middle of this year. We have been receiving different personalities across the globe who have come to identify with Africa. Some have decided to settle here, with their new business concerns, while others have opted to be going and coming. Some of them have traced their DNA back to Africa and some of them have been here to take on African names at an African naming ceremony here at the beach. IPADA the return to Africa is a continuous thing, a daily return, while the actual ceremony itself is between November 29th and December 8th. We are pleased that Malaika Air has partnered with us to ensure smooth air travel for all, alongside our cruise ship initiative.”
The 2 Day event also gave participants opportunity to have a grand tour of the entire space of the Resort, noting the Founder’s camp, the forest trail, the Carnival trail, the positions earmarked for vendors, the international stage, the luxury homes, the jetty, and the other facilities at the resort. The tour ended at Oja Africa, where each African country will have the opportunity to showcase their tourism, cultural and arts products, during the IPADA CARNIVAL celebration.
