Organisers of IPADA Carnival, a cultural tourism programme, say no fewer than 1,500 African artistes are expected to perform at the forthcoming event.
Mr Salvation Alibor, Co-Founder, XPark360, a financial partner for the carnival, disclosed this at stakeholders meeting, while unveiling programmes for the carnival, at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The 14- day carnival slated to hold from Nov. 29 to Dec. 12, is geared toward promoting Nigeria and Africa to Africans in the Diaspora and those interested in tracing their roots to the continent.
IPADA is the Yoruba word which means ‘The Return’.
According to Alibor, the carnival scheduled to hold at the resort, will be an annual celebration of the return of people of African ancestry to their motherland.
He said the initiative had attracted the full support of the Presidency, Federal Ministry of Tourism as well as state governments.
“The IPADA Carnival seeks to celebrate the return of Africans in diaspora to their roots, having Nigeria as their entry point.
“The carnival will feature a music festival where about 1,500 artistes, cutting across the 54 African countries will be performing. It will be a celebration of the beautiful potential of Africans in music, dance, natural resources, arts and all.
“It is meant to open the eyes of Africans in diaspora to these potential which can be converted to wealth for the continent through collaborations and unity.
“We’ll have the Nefertiti Queen of Africa beauty pageant where the true definition of African beauty will be showcased.
“Also, the Ose Awards will celebrate Africans of great accomplishments in arts, science, philosophy, politics and other fields of human endeavour. The winner of this award will be conferred with chieftancy titles across African countries.
“We are going to feature one million Africa meal buffet where various African cuisines will be displayed,” he said.
According to Alibor, the whole essence of the carnival is for cultural promotion and to create the economy of tourism through IPADA.
He said the carnival was an opportunity to create community engagement, strengthen cultural diplomacy, empower the youth and enhance public image of states and goodwill.
“The carnival will feature beach durbar, stage plays, tours to tourism attractions, business unusual picnic and many more entertaining programmes,” he said.
Earlier, founder of the IPADA Initiative, Chief Wanle Akinboboye, said the carnival would be explored to transform tourism attractions within Africa.
According to him, tourism attractions abound within Africa but have yet to be converted to destinations for tourists to visit.
“Attraction sites can only be converted to tourism destinations when some entertaining activities are created within these attraction sites, such that shelter are provided and some other things that guarantee tourists’ comfort.
“With my over 40 years experience in the tourism space, I will be helping to transform different attraction sites to tourist destinations,” he said.