Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Ahmed has assured that he would personally attend the Ipada Carnival billed for December 2024 in Lagos as Chief Host. This assurance was conveyed to the initiator of the project, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, by the President through his Chief of Staff Hon. Femi Gbajabiamilla in a letter dated August 9, 2024.

Gbajabiamilla said: “His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed his attendance of the Ipada Carnival event as Chief Host, and has graciously accepted the role of being the Grand Patron and the Chief Global Ambassador of the carnival and the Ipada Initiative.”

It will be recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had recently endorsed the Ipada Initiative and Ipada Carnival 2024 through a letter he sent Otunba Wanle Akinboboye through the Minister of Tourism Mrs. Lola Ade-John.  

In the letter, he expressed support for the Ipada Initiative and the Ipada Carnival, which he sees as a significant opportunity to grow tourism in Nigeria and across West Africa. The President said: “As I understand, the objective of the initiative is to promote the idea of a ‘‘return to Africa’’ among the people of African descent ad the enthusiasts of African culture living around the world. Lagos, Nigeria, is envisioned to be the gateway through which this initiative will expand the African tourism industry.’’

President Tinubu further spotlighted the benefits of the project in the promotion of Africa and offering a gateway for Africans in the Diaspora to connect with the continent through Nigeria and explore their ancestral home in a very unique expedition that Ipada Initiative plans.