It was World Tourism Day and the celebration was loud at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort where the Ambassador of Rwanda in Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo was visiting, as part of the activities lined up to commemorate the day, September 27th.
It was also an opportunity for Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo to take time out, to inspect the foremost African beach resort, which has been pencilled down, as the proposed venue, for the upcoming IPADA Carnival celebration slated for November 29th to December 8th 2024.
The drum beat crescendo for the IPADA Carnival is almost at its peak, with concerted efforts to ensure the success of the carnival, by incorporating diplomats from different African countries and in the Diaspora into the larger framework.
The excitement was real at the arrival of Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo to La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the African themed resort, located at Ibeju-lekki, Lagos, Nigeria.
He was received with a frenzy of welcome reception which included an African dance performance of a Rwanda song, by Atunda Entertainment Troupe, an African palmwine libation short ceremony and a grand tour of the 65 acres award winning best hospitality resort.
At every point of the tour, the visiting Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo, marvelled at the African theme and concept of the resort, the blend of African architecture, with the cosmopolitan design of the infrastructures as showcased in the masterpieces of the luxury holiday homes.
Every step he took, every turn he made, assured him of an African pristine environment, carefully preserved over time, to showcase an African paradise.
Finally, the Ambassador knew he had found a place he could call a home in Lagos, Nigeria.
And there were unique things apart from Atunda Entertainment’ presentation of the Rwanda dance and song, that sincerely convinced the Ambassador, that he was at home.
On arrival to the resort, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo noticed the Rwanda flag, among the several flags of different nations, flying proudly in the air, showing off to visitors of the beach resort, the pride of Rwanda and the importance of his country in the league of African nations.
Also, when the tour took him to Oja Africa, the African Market for different African nations to display their wares, fashion, cultural artefacts and so on, during IPADA Carnival, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo found a Rwanda store, among the several other stores of African nations, with a colourful Rwanda flag painted on it. This indeed pleased the Ambassador and he felt very free and very much at home.
But the biggest surprise awaited him!
As he was just coming out of one of the ‘Laba’ holiday homes overlooking the swimming pool, behold Uwena Francine, all the way from Rwanda, was awaiting him! And he didn’t know it.
Immediately the Ambassador saw her, he was shocked because right away, he knew this was a citizen of Rwanda. And so many questions must have rushed into his surprised mind! Some of the questions would probably have been, “oh dear, what are you doing here? How did you get here, how did you discover this paradise so, so, far away from our home Rwanda?”
And the Ambassador asked her all those questions in their local language, as Uwena Francine stepped forward, to greet him cheerfully and excitedly; while his host Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye the Founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort looked on in total admiration of this encounter!
It was a pleasant sight to behold, of two strangers from same countries at different levels of life, meeting in a remote corner of another African country, connecting in language, culture and in humanity!
And that exactly is what La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort has been achieving over the years. Every corner of the 65 acres resort, has so many similar beautiful stories of this particular kind of scene to tell.
After few minutes of excited conversation, Uwena Francine left, returning to join her colleagues at the conference centre (pabirikoto), at another part of the resort grounds. Uwena Francine was among the group from, The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), who had come to enjoy a stay at the resort for a few days of conferencing. And it was her first time of visiting Nigeria. While going to the conference hall that morning, she had seen the welcome banner specifically made for the Ambassador’s visit, and promised herself to watch out to see when he arrives!
She left fulfilled after meeting Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo. And the Ambassador felt more at home at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, knowing fully well that Rwanda, is not really far away after all, and that his country’s citizens, are safely home here, at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, safely home in Nigeria.
● Paul Ukpabio is Nigeria’s Tourism Writer Of The Year Award Winner 2023
