President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed the Ipada Initiative and Ipada Carnival 2024, throwing the weight of the federal government behind the cultural tourism project, while giving marching orders to the state and local governments including all ministries, departments and agencies of government to give support to ensure the success of the cultural event. The president disclosed his support and that of the entire country for the project in an official letter through Lola Ade-John, Minister of Tourism, to Wanle Akinboboye, founder and president of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, who is the initiator of the project, as part of his Motherland Beckons’ activations that are geared at promoting the African continent, Africans in Diaspora and lovers of Africa. The letter reads in part, ‘‘I write to express my support for the Ipada Initiative and the Ipada Carnival, both of which are being promoted by Motherland Beckons in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Tourism.
The initiative represents a signified opportunity to grow tourism in Nigeria and across West Africa. ‘‘As I understand, the objective of the initiative is to promote the idea of a ‘‘return to Africa’’ among the people of African descent and the enthusiasts of African culture around the world. Lagos is envisioned to be the gateway through which this initiative will expand to the African tourism industry.
’’ President Tinubu further spotlighted the benefits of the project in the promotion .