The much anticipated and advertised IPADA Initiative Celebration 2024 was celebrated with fanfare, with different activities, all fun filled and exciting held through the 10 days fiesta, which ended on a celebratory note.

The debutant celebration under the platform of Motherland Beckons was initiated by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, who over the years has devoted himself to the development of Africa continent through different initiatives, inclusive of tourism and entertainment.

The African themed and multiple – awards winning resort, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, in Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, decked in suffusing colours, was turned into one big arena of entertainment as people from across Nigeria, Africa and the globe came in their numbers to participate and savour the rich blend of offerings put on display.

The celebration commenced on November 29, with the arrival of delegates and participants from multiple locations. Guests were welcomed with the rich dose of African finger foods including African fried foods like Dundun (fried yam), potatoes, akara, and pieces of chicken, with fresh palm wine juice making the rounds.

As the people gradually settled into the grove, Atunda Entertainment put up a scintillating performances, entertaining the guests with a mixed blend of music and dances. The audience were not left out as many of them took to the stage to dance and sing alongside the musical group.

The sound of music continued into the night, with an all-night pool party at the longest swimming pool. It featured African cultural dances and a DJ that blasted music to the delight of guests. There was also bonfire section for many to savour.

The next day, November 30, witnessed the formal opening ceremony, with a blend of activities hosted for the day. A major highlight of the day was the Business Unusual Picnic held at the Forest part of the resort, popularly known as the Founder’s Camp.

At the section, top business men and women, queens and royals from different countries, African returnees from different continents of the world and friends of Africa and other guests, sat down to listen to different business pitches, new business ideas and propositions.

Many deals were closed at the end of the section, with series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed by different groups and individuals.

The carnival parade was a blockbuster event, which saw on parade the celebration of different cultures, featuring among others the Brazilian descendants’ carnival train. It was a colourful, entertaining and vibrant celebration of African and Caribbean culture, with participants from different African countries showcasing traditional costumes, dances, and music, emphasising unity amidst diversities, all blending into one people.

The grand opening ceremony itself featured heartwarming speeches from notable figures, cultural displays, and engaging performances, as watched by 50 invited African king’s and a Queen Regent.

The day climaxed with a DJ Evening Pool Party, which featured a number of entertaining activities to the delight of the guests.

Another major highlight of the historic 10-day gathering, was the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology training which spanned three days at the Conference centre known as Pabirikoto. It featured a number of enthusiastic youths including the elderly, who were very eager to be trained in the new technology culture.

While December 1, among others witnessed the historic signing of MoU by the Republic of Vanuatu with Rwanda and the African Diaspora Central Bank. His Majesty Rex Semako I & VI, Timothy McPherson signed as the President of the African Diaspora Central Bank, while the Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana H.E Ambassador Prof. Hugh Aryee signed for his country and the Rwanda Ambassador to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, signed for his country.

Another MoU signing ceremony during the gathering was also witnessed. This time, it was between the Republic of Vanuatu and La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, designed to build and replicate La Campagne resort in Vanuatu Island.

The Vanuatu Trade Commissioner to Ghana, Aryee signed for Vanuatu Island while Akinboboye signed for La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort. The project is expected to commence in the early months of 2025.

December 6 also witnessed the signing of an historic MoU on DNA testing between the America-based DNA solutions providing company, Tribal Tapestry (now with a Lagos office), led by the CEO, an African-American, Prince Jon James Olomo (Omowale), with IPADA Initiative led by Akinboboye.

There was also an empowerment programme for women, tagged; Blossom Retreat. It was coordinated by Prof. Remi Duyile, an African-American returnee and former Vice President of the Bank of America. It featured among others an engaging storytelling and inspirational discussions, fostering connection and creativity. Blossom Retreat offered a relaxing session for self-reflection and inner peace.

Festival of Creatives for enterprising and talented youths was another highlight, with celebrity Nigerian world renowned award-winning dancer, Dr Kaffi, taking the youths through the preliminaries of the creative competition.

There were a lot of theatrical and musical shows on display, with Odigbose – an epic stage play, written by Akinboboye, enlivening the colourful international stage.

The audience was wowed also by Nefertiti Queen of Africa Beauty Pageant: A prestigious event celebrating the beauty, intelligence, and cultural pride of African women. The event successfully produced two African Ambassadors for IPADA Initiative.

There was also an exhibition that featured display by a number of countries, including Rwanda and corporate bodies and sponsors of IPADA Initiative Celebration 2024. It afforded the participants and guests the opportunity to interact and network as well as close deals on different products.

The 10 days celebration were spiced with a blend of fun filled activities, ranging from catapulting, power biking, horse racing, horse riding, footballing, nature watch, table tennis, badminton, volleyball, tug of war, sack racing, musical chair dance, swimming, sip ‘n’ paint, dance lessons, African food cooking lessons, lawn tennis, bonding games, to table games (Scrabble, Monopoly, Snake and Ladders, Ayo, Ludo, and Drought), and snooker.

There was no dull moment as the vibrancy of the African themed and multiple awards-winning resort, came to the fore, offering people of all ages and backgrounds, immersive experiences that they will never forget in a hurry all through the 10 days of the celebration.

The richest and most colourful musical concert on the continent of Africa, African International Music (AIM) Festival, was held on December 7, with performances from Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote D’voire, Ethiopia and other African countries. In attendance were a massive crowd of students from various Nigerian higher institutions.

The night ended with a DJ pool party at the world’s longest Swimming pool.

The 10-day IPADA Initiative Celebration 2024 climaxed on a happy note on December 8, with a celebratory breakfast, which was a celebration of a blend of African culinary offerings.