… As 5-Year Program is launched at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja

The IPADA Initiative took a newer dimension last night, when the Executive Governor of Taraba State, His Excellency, Dr Agbu Kefas; the Governor of Katsina state, His Excellency, Dr. Mal. Dikko Umaru Radda, and other states threw their weight behind the Initiative, as the private sector led by Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, the President of The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), & Chairman, Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), with the support of it’s overwhelming corporate membership, responded, by declaring at the event, to the general applause of the audience, that NACCIMA is at the verge of signing an MoU with the IPADA Initiative.

The event which took place at the prestigious banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, was the launch of the 5-YEAR programme, for the celebration of the “Return” (IPADA Initiative) in Africa.

IPADA Initiative, birth by Motherland Beckons …heed the call, founded by Tourism icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, is a clarion call on all Africans in Diaspora and lovers of Africa around the world, to come home to Africa, to integrate and celebrate the beauty of Africa and all the goodness in Africa.

As such, IPADA Initiative set aside a 10 day annual programme which takes place during the last week of November all through to the first week of December, when Africans in Diaspora and lovers of Africa, return (IPADA) to celebrate at the sprawling 65 acres beach resort, popularly known as La Campagne Tropicana in Lagos.

The 5-YEAR programme presented by the Founder of IPADA Initiative and Motherland Beckons …Heed the call, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye was an eye opener to the long term benefits that Africans in Diaspora and lovers of Africa who plan to attend the annual IPADA Celebrations in Lagos, Nigeria, will get. From the opportunity to book early to attend the festivities in Lsgos, to the savings they will get from paying early for attendance, to avoid inflation rates.

Glamour, Attendance and Goodwill messages

Yesterday’s event was an evening of elite presence, attended by over 100 diplomatic envoys, captains of industry, different professional groups, academic institutions and so on. The Hon. Commissioner for Taraba State, Rev. Joseph Titus Nagombe represented the Executive Governor of the state, Dr. Agbu Kefas. While Hon. Yusuf Rabiu, the Katsina state’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, represented the Governor of Katsina state, Dr. Mal. Dikko Umaru Radda.

The Director General of NACCIMA, Engr. Olusola Obadimu was at the event alongside other notable top officials of NACCIMA. The Rwandan Ambassador, Ambassador Christophe Bazivamo; The Deputy Head of Mission, Philippine Embassy, Norman Anthony C. Arrieta, the Head of Political Office, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey Muzaffer Hakan Tok, Vianney Buragumya of the Rwandan Embassy were all at the event.

To grace the IPADA Initiative 5-YearProgramme launch was Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri Erewa, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), a Former Broadcast Journalist who accomplished a 3-term Membership of the House of Representatives in Nigeria.

USA Newsmax Television Team was fully on ground led by the CEO/Vice President James Moore. The team which also included former Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC), Mrs OmotayoOmotosho. There was a collection of guests from New York, Ms. Coralita Yara all the way from Barbados, came with a goodwill message and so did Dortimi Kester Tawari of Afro-Caribean Integrated Development Limited.

Saudi Arabia was not left behind. Mr Ahmed Thani, the Deputy Director of Nurulbayan International Academy was there with some staff and students of the institution.

From India came the former President of the Indian Cultural Association in Nigeria, Chief Sanjay Jain with a Goodwill message that the Indian community will work with and around the IPADA Initiative for collaboration. Numerous dignitaries from all walks of life.

In his goodwill message at the event, the Ambassador of Angola, Dr Jose Bamooquina Bau stated that, “the Republic of Angola congratulates the leadership of IPADA Initiative for the vision of promoting a Pan African Movement to reconnect Africa with its cultural and anthropology values.

“It is a laudable Initiative to promote unity, interaction and reunion with the African Diaspora spread across the world. The magnitude of this initiative is transversal due to the opportunities that it offers in the areas of connectivity, investments, culture, academia and tourism. It will allow exploring and engaging the contributions of African skills especially those in the Diaspora with particular emphasis on knowledge, technology transfer and increasing their participation in Africa’s development.”

Abuja based businesswoman Dr. Aisha Adebisi Adebisi Lawal; Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, the President of Institute of Tourism Professionals of Nigeria; Alhaji Nasir Abdullahi Mohammed, Alhaji Shehu Sulaiman Adam were all there amongst other numerous guests, to celebrate IPADA Initiative.

The officials of Women Entrepreneurs And Professionals Development Network (WEPDN) led by Mrs Affiong Isreal Ibanga the president, were at the event.

The Jamaicans were not left behind. They flew into Nigeria for the event as a group, and will be staying here for a few more days.

Music

The African themed event showcased the beauty of African music as presented by Atunde Entertainment with its parade of stars, among them, the accountant turned Bata drummer and choreographer, Olo Omidan Bata; King of culture, TAA’SHA and the only Ibo young lady drummer popularly known as ARA Thunder! It was indeed an evening of tasteful African cultural music with drums

Fashion and style

Not just was the occasion colourful with guests exhibiting the highest taste of fashion and style, fashion came home to roost with Atunda Fashion. The models strutted on the stage to the applause of the audience but this time not just in the style of western culture, but with African vibes. A usual fashion show, delivered in an unusual way with a captivating acrobatic display!

Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, the President of The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), & Chairman, Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), commended Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu for throwing his weight behind the IPADA Initiative as Chief Host and Global Ambassador, and also commended his government projected one trillion dollar economy which Jani Ibrahim said will galvanize the economy, and which he also believes that tourism as a sector of the economy, should benefit from.

Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim also commended the Nigerian Conservation Foundation which had a presentation at the event and which is also partnering IPADA Initiative to plant over a million trees across Nigeria. The business mogul assured all that NACCIMA is working on planting a billion trees. He informed the audience that for that purpose and to push the growth of Tourism further, Tourism Icon, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye has been appointed the chairman of the Tourism Creative group of NACCIMA.