President Bola Tinubu on Thursday night hosted the ‘Ipada’ Initiative carnival in the State House, Abuja, where he endorsed the project, which seeks to foster connections that could lead to future investment opportunities, in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
 
President Tinubu endorsed the ‘Ipada’ Initiative, a Yoruba word, which means the return, at the event spiced with a potpourri of different performances put together by Atunda models, Unity drama, Zulu performance, Ara Thunder, Olo Omidan Bata, Ipada presentation by X Spark and Ta’asha, among others. 
 
The event, held at the Banquet Hall at the Presidential Villa, attracted members of the diaspora community including diplomats and the crème-de-la-crème of the entertainment and tourism industry.
 
Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John, noted that the project aims to unite Africa through tourism, “focusing on our brothers and sisters in the diaspora and lovers of Africa worldwide.”
 
She explained that the ‘Ipada’ initiative is specifically designed to boost tourism in Nigeria and across Africa by encouraging people of African descent to visit the continent using Lagos as the gateway.  
 
“This year-round initiative seeks to foster deep rooted connections that could lead to future investment and business opportunities, among other things.  
 
“We believe that with unity of purpose, we can realise the significant economic benefits ‘Ipada’ offers to our continent and individual countries.
 
“Various ministries, agencies, private stakeholders and civic society are collaborating to ensure its goals are achieved,” the minister added.
 
The minister acknowledged that Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, founder of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and Motherland Beckons, is the creator and driving force behind ‘Ipada’, adding that the Federal Government was poised to support the initiative.
 
“We believe that with unity of purpose, we can realise the significant economic benefits ‘Ipada’ offers to our continent and individual countries. “His Excellency, President Asiwaju Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Tourism fully endorse this project,” she said. She added that various ministries, agencies, private stakeholders and civic society were already collaborating with Akinboboye towards achieving the goals of the project.
 
In an interview with newsmen, Akinboboye explained that the vision of the ‘Ipada’ Initiative is to reconnect Africa with its vast and vibrant diaspora, while simultaneously unlocking the immense economic potential of the continent. He said the ‘Ipada’ Initiative was designed to facilitate the return of 50 million people of African ancestry to Africa over the next five years.
 
“The initiative is creating an African shopping mall to present Africa as a united tourism front, leveraging the interest of over 1.5 billion people of African descent and half a billion Africa enthusiasts.
 
“I am proud to announce that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, serves as the Grand Patron and Global Ambassador for Ipada Initiative.
 
“Through ‘Ipada’, we offer essential services such as accommodation, transportation, security and guided tours, ensuring that every visitor experiences the warmth and richness of Africa,” Akinboboye said.
 
He said apart from creating a link between Africa and its diaspora, the ‘Ipada’ Initiative fosters economic and cultural exchanges, and encourages investment back into Africa.
 
“This initiative is expected to drive job creation, increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and strengthen economic ties between the continents. Additionally, as tourists are drawn to experience African culture at the resort, tourism revenues will significantly rise, benefitting both the host country and African economies through increased demand,” he stated.
 
According to him, the ‘Ipada’ Initiative is also a unique platform offering tailored investment packages to take advantage of the burgeoning opportunities across Africa, “provide several pathways for those looking to invest on the continent in areas such as holiday homes within resorts, built around beaches, lagoons, rivers, caves, hot springs, oceans and historic sites. “Investors can earn returns through the daily rental of these holiday homes to tourists while retaining the option to use them as personal holiday retreats.
 
“Moreover, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort’s brand offers expertise to governments in developing their attractions into fully-fledged destinations by creating the necessary recreational infrastructure. Transforming mere attractions into destinations enhances tourist spend and maximises economic benefits,” he added.