The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially taken the reins of the highly anticipated IPADA Carnival, a grand celebration marking the return of people of African descent and friends of Africa from the Diaspora to the continent. The event, set to take place in November and December, has received a significant boost with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s involvement as the Chief Host, Grand Patron, and Chief Global Ambassador.
In a formal letter dated August 9, 2024, Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, confirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to the IPADA Carnival, emphasizing the importance of this initiative in welcoming back the African Diaspora. The carnival will be a key feature of the broader IPADA Initiative, which aims to reconnect Africans living abroad with their ancestral homeland.
Hon Femi Gbajabiamila stated: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed his attendance for the IPADA CARNIVAL event as the Chief Host and has graciously accepted the roles of being the Grand Patron and the Chief Global Ambassador of the Carnival and IPADA Initiative.”
In a happy sweet reaction, the Founder of IPADA Initiative and Carnival, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, said the development is most welcome and in line with general motive of the grand celebration.
“The celebration is for Africa and Friends of Africa. Nigeria has taken the Initiative to welcome our brothers and sisters back to Africa and from here, they can reach out to other countries of Africa. We thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for deciding to Champion this initiative, to welcome home our own people, back into the African continent, from a long sojourn, as they return through cruise ships and luxury airlines in November and December, starting from this year. Indeed it is a new beginning,” said Akinboboye.
He expressed enthusiasm about the President’s support, stating, “The celebration is for Africa and Friends of Africa. Nigeria has taken the initiative to welcome our brothers and sisters back to Africa, and from here, they can reach out to other countries of the continent. We thank President Tinubu for championing this initiative and facilitating the return of our people through cruises and luxury airlines this November and December. This marks a new beginning for Africa.”
The IPADA Carnival, an annual event celebrating the return of people of African ancestry, will be held from the last week of November through the first week of December at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. The carnival will feature diverse cultural representations, including carnivals from African settlements worldwide, a beauty pageant exclusive to women of African ancestry, and a Durbar. Notable highlights will include the awarding of 21 chieftaincy titles through the Ose Award to honor African legends.
The initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders, including the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Tourism, Lagos State Government, Ondo State Government, Ekiti State Government, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR), and other tourism organizations. These partnerships underscore the collaborative effort to make IPADA Carnival a landmark event for celebrating African heritage and fostering global connections with the continent.
The IPADA Initiative, which translates to “the Return” in Yoruba, aims to facilitate seamless connections between Africans in the Diaspora and the continent, leveraging cruise ships at Lagos deep seaport and luxury airlines. This celebration is not only a significant cultural event but also an opportunity to promote economic and social ties between Africa and its global diaspora.
