It was a grand home coming for Africans in the Diaspora and Lovers of Africa as they returned into the arms of fellow Africans at the sprawling 65 acres beachfront, popularly known as La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort at Ibeju-lekki, Lagos, yesterday, when IPADA Carnival 2024, continued in earnest, with a grand opening ceremony on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

In attendance were foreign Ambassadors from African countries and the Carribbean, amongst them Rwanda Ambassador H.E Christophe Bazivamo and H.E Ambassad Prof Dr. Hugh Aryee, from the Island country Vanuatu, in the Carribbean, with over 40 royal Fathers and Regent from Cross River State, who stormed the event in their resplendent colourful royal attires, arriving in a long convoy of glittering vehicles.

The day had started with a unique IPADA Carnival breakfast, displayed on the spread on the sand dunes walkway between the large waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the fresh waters of the Lagoon. And the sumptuous breakfast came with expected side attractions such as traditional, cultural music and dances, boating, kayaking in the lagoon to mention a few, and general socialisation.

Just as the arriving stream of people into the resort grounds continued this morning from the day before, the arrival of the carnival train put together, by the Brazilian Descendants Association to the resort, in the early afternoon, fast tracked the tempo of IPADA Carnival celebration of the day, with Founder of IPADA Carnival, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye and other dignitaries, joining the carnival train in dances.

Colourful, inspiring, richly African, fabulous costumes mixed with African fabrics displaced by the carnival train, elicited endearment from visiting tourists and returnees from the Diaspora, as the carnival train danced all the way into the nature endowed resort grounds, through the long Carnival trail.

But that was not all, the day was still laced with more to see and enjoy as top business men and women of substance, met at the forest part of the resort, the Founder’s Camp as it is called, with a stop over at Sekonkanmi, the palmwine bar in the forest, where they to talked business and pitched their business ideas for possible investors at the IPADA Carnival Business Unusual Forum.

In attendance was the President of the African Diaspora Central Bank, His Majesty Rex Semako I & VI Timothy McPherson, the Lord if the Sixth region, Prof. Remi Duyile, a former Vice President of The Bank of America, Senior Traditional Chief Thomas from South Africa, Otunba Ayo Olumoko of Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, President of the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and some executive council members, British-Nigerian Actor Tayo Alison, officials of Nigeria Tourism Development Authority NTDA), Returnees From the Diaspora and a host of others.

Here, H.E Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo the Rwanda Ambassador disclosed the now popular business initiative with La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the building of a replica resort in Rwanda. A pitch he made, elaborating on the vast resources inherent in Rwanda and the much benefit that such, could bring and reverberate among investors and entire Africa in terms of tourism promotions and potentials. An area which Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye also elaborated on, sharing the vast land size allocated for the Rwanda project.

The President of NATOP, who also had the floor, spoke about NATOP’s recent business outing at the World Travel Market, where Nigeria had the opportunity of marketing local businesses, tour and tourism ventures at the international marketing forum. She also spoke about NATOP’S experience marketing IPADA Carnival at WTM, adding that the memory she has of the event and moments is very nostalgic.

US based newly honoured DNA expert, Prince Jon James Olumo, popularly known as Omowale was there at the IPADA Carnival 2024 Business Unusual Forum. And he was there to share his story and encourage Africans across the globe, especially Africans in the Diaspora, to use the availability of DNA technology, to trace their African roots.

Prince Jon James Olumo who bagged a Maiyegun traditional title in Ile-Ife few days ago, discovered his African roots 7 years ago and tracked his descendents to Southwest, Nigeria. Afterwards, he set up an organisation, Tribal Tapestry, to easily do same for others, at competitive, affordable reduced cost!

There were more speakers and more wake up calls for Africa to look inwards and interact more with one another at the session which featured sumptuous lunch and international press coverage.

The IPADA Carnival opening day ceremony events stretched into the late night with hosting of top dignitaries at the well lit international stage, with blazing flags from different African countries, expressing the spirit of Africa, the vision of one Africa, as shared in the opening welcome speech by Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye.

Entertainment was unlimited, amongst it all, a drama performance by children of Bethany School, Sagamu, titled ‘Unity’ with moral lesson for countries and tribes in each African nation to work together for progress.

The colourful Carnival parade from Nigeria, Brazil, Rwanda, Cote D’voire stole the show, along with works if Atunda Fashion and Modela Couture.

The 10-day roller coaster celebration will continue throughout the first week of December 2024 at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. Ibeju-lekki, Lagos.