The Ipada Initiative and Carnival 2024 has continued to garner major support and partnership since the cultural tourism package was unveiled this year.
The initiative is among the 52 tourism products that Wanle Akinboboye, founder/president of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, promised to release within one year as his contribution to boosting Nigerian tourism.
Joining the growing ranks of supporters are the Federal and the Ekiti State governments.
Prior to these endorsements, the Lagos State government was the first to see the potential in the project and quickly declared its recognition and partnership for the cultural tourism event that is aimed at driving traffic to Lagos State.
The federal government through the Ministry of Tourism in declaring support for the project through a letter signed by Lola Ade-John, Minister for Tourism, noted that the significance and benefits of the project to Nigeria hence its decision to partner with Akinboboye’s Motherland Beckons in organising the project, which is slated to hold between November 27 and December 7, 2024 at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.
‘‘The Ipada Initiative and Carnival 2024 is aimed at bringing significant economic benefits to Nigeria via the dollar inflows that will be made by those visiting Nigeria either as their sole destination or as the first stop in their journey to explore the African continent,’’ the minister said.
‘‘It is therefore expected to give a much needed boost to Nigeria’s tourism industry. It is also envisaged that it will create employment and result in dollar inflows.
‘‘I wish to assure you that the Motherland Beckons has the support and endorsement of the Federal Ministry of Tourism in relation to the Ipada Initiative and Carnival 2024”.
According to the minister, the Ministry of Tourism intends to work closely with the organisers to ensure that the initiative, as well as the Ipada Carnival, achieve their goals and generate the envisaged economic and social benefits for Africa in general and Nigeria in particular.
On its part, the Ekiti State government through the office of the Director General of Ekiti State Bureau for Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre, noted that in line with the vision of the Ekiti State Government for sustainable tourism development and creating an enabling environment that showcases Ekiti’s tourism potential, the state is supporting and partnering the organisers of the event.
‘‘Ekiti State is positioned as a gateway through which the diaspora can access various parts of the continent, including Nigeria. The Ipada Initiative and Ipada Carnival are projected to generate significant economic benefits, especially in terms of foreign exchange income from tourists, youth employment opportunities, grassroots stakeholder participation, and inclusion of local entrepreneurs.
‘‘The Ekiti State Government fully supports this laudable initiative, recognising its potential to contribute to tourism development and the social inclusion of youths at the grassroots level,’’ Ojo-Lanre said.
He also declared commitment to working with the organisers, noting, ‘‘The Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, through the Office of the Director General, is committed to working with you to ensure the success of the Ipada Initiative and Ipada Carnival, achieving their goals and generating the envisioned economic and social benefits for Ekiti State and Africa at large.’’
