The Ipada Festival celebrates African heritage, uniting African descendants from across the globe to reconnect with their roots through music, dance, cuisine, and cultural immersion in Lagos.

The Ipada Festival, a vibrant cultural event celebrating the heritage and unity of African descendants worldwide, has officially commenced at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Lagos.

This nine-day festival, filled with rich traditions and dynamic cultural displays, offers a platform for African descendants and culture enthusiasts to reconnect with their roots.

Also read: IPADA carnival to showcase 1,500 African artists, promote cultural tourism

Diplomats from across Africa and stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality sectors have joined the celebrations, which began with a dazzling carnival led by Brazilian descendants adorned in elaborate carnival costumes.

The opening ceremony set a joyful tone, featuring:

• Traditional Music and Dance: Performances resonating with the rhythmic beats of African drums.
• Vibrant Costumes: Elaborate and colourful outfits that reflect Africa’s diverse cultural tapestry.
• Culinary Delights: A showcase of Africa’s mouth-watering traditional cuisines.

Revellers were immersed in the spirit of the event, with laughter and energy filling the air as participants celebrated their shared heritage.

Mr Wanle Akinboboye, the festival’s convener and CEO of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, emphasised Ipada’s mission to entice Africans in the diaspora to reconnect with their roots.

“We have millions of descendants across the Caribbean, USA, Brazil, and Europe. Ipada Festival offers them a pathway back to Africa—not just to rediscover their origins but to contribute significantly to the continent’s economic development,” Akinboboye stated.

The festival aims to position Africa as a collective entity for exploration and investment, presenting the continent as a unified “African shopping mall.” Akinboboye explained:

“We are showcasing the entire continent in one basket. Diasporans can start their journey in Lagos or Abuja and explore Africa from there. We’ve created experiences like transitioning from slave ships to cruise ships, symbolising reconnection and healing.”

With representatives from 55 African nations, Ipada Festival serves as a symbolic invitation for Africans abroad to engage with their heritage and contribute to the continent’s growth.

By combining cultural celebration with economic potential, the festival underscores the importance of the diaspora’s role in Africa’s development.

Lagos stands as the ideal gateway for this initiative, offering rich cultural experiences and a connection point for exploring the continent.

The festival is not just a celebration but a movement to redefine African unity, tourism, and global integration.

As the drums echo and colours dazzle, Ipada Festival reaffirms Africa’s enduring spirit and the promise of a shared future rooted in heritage and collaboration.

The Lagos Shopping Festival 2024, set for 23-25 December, promises 72 hours of non-stop shopping, entertainment, and cultural fusion, cementing Lagos as Africa’s leading hub for business and leisure.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially unveiled the Lagos Shopping Festival (LSF) symbol, heralding the much-anticipated maiden edition of the event scheduled for 23rd to 25th December 2024.

The festival, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos Island, is set to transform the city into a bustling hub of commerce, entertainment, and tourism for 72 continuous hours.

It aligns Lagos with global cities like Istanbul and Dubai, renowned for their vibrant shopping festivals.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the LSF as more than a shopping event, highlighting its transformative potential for Lagos’ economy.

“This festival is a convergence of commerce and entertainment,” the governor said. “It supports local businesses, creates opportunities, and showcases the vibrant spirit of Lagos, making our state a beacon for tourism, commerce, and entertainment in Africa.”

The governor praised the resilience of organisers, particularly Chain Reactions Africa, which incubated the idea during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Despite setbacks, they refined and prepared the festival for its grand debut.

Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, highlighted the festival’s economic promise. Citing the success of a pilot fair earlier this year, he noted that three days of sales surpassed ₦250 million.

Corporate sponsors such as Zenith Bank Plc, Tolaram Africa Group, and Guinness Nigeria Plc have been instrumental in bringing the vision to life.

Girish Sharma, CEO of Guinness Nigeria, described the festival as “a creative fusion of commerce and entertainment” that reflects Lagos’ dynamic essence.

What to Expect

The Lagos Shopping Festival will feature:

• Shopping Extravaganza: Discounts on a wide range of products, making luxury and essentials accessible during the festive season.
• Entertainment Galore: Live performances by top Nigerian artistes, rave parties, and family-friendly attractions.
• Economic Inclusion: Opportunities for local businesses to showcase their products and services.

Damilola Pedro, Director of Organisation and Logistics for the festival, reflected on the project’s journey. “Mr Governor, this project is your baby.

It is one of the legacies you will leave Lagos,” she said, crediting Sanwo-Olu’s guidance in shaping the festival’s scope and format.

The governor expressed his hope that the LSF would become an enduring feature of Lagos’ tourism calendar. “This December, we are redefining how the festive season is celebrated in Lagos and positioning our city as a premium destination for leisure and commerce,” he said.

Lagos, often regarded as the commercial heartbeat of Nigeria and Africa’s entertainment capital, is poised to leverage the LSF to attract global tourists, drive economic growth, and showcase its cultural vibrancy.

With its dynamic blend of shopping, entertainment, and tourism, the Lagos Shopping Festival 2024 is set to redefine the holiday experience in Africa’s most vibrant city.

Kogi International Carnival 2024 will celebrate culture, unity, and tourism, attracting global investors to Nigeria’s rich Confluence State.

Kogi State is gearing up to host Nigerians and the global community for the Kogi International Carnival 2024, a seven-day event designed to celebrate the state’s rich cultural heritage while showcasing its vast investment opportunities.

Scheduled to run from 1st to 7th December 2024, the carnival promises to leave a lasting impression on visitors and investors alike.

Also read: Kogi tourism takes centre stage as Bilkisu Ogueyi drives development

Tagged “Kogi International Carnival” and themed ‘Come, Experience, Explore and Invest in the Confluence State: Celebrating Unity, Promoting Tourism, and Empowering Local Communities,’ the event aims to position Kogi as a prime destination for tourism and investment.

The carnival will feature simultaneous activities across Lokoja, Kabba, Okene, and Ayingba, presenting the cultural diversity of Kogi’s ethnic groups through music, dance, cuisine, fashion, and more.

The carnival’s focus extends beyond entertainment, aiming to attract local and international investors to the state. Organisers believe the event will spotlight Kogi’s natural resources, agricultural potential, and strategic location as the gateway to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Steve Babaeko, a prominent Marketing Communication practitioner and President of the International Advertising Association (Nigeria Chapter), has pledged his support for the event.

“Kogi is a state of historical and geographical significance,” Babaeko noted, emphasising its untapped resources and unique position in Nigeria. He urged Kogites to rally behind the initiative to establish the state as a cultural and economic hub.

Prince Philip Orebiyi, leader of the Kogi International Carnival 2024 project team, highlighted the carnival as a multidimensional event that goes beyond celebration.

“It is an opportunity to unite communities, attract tourism, and empower local economies,” he remarked.

The carnival’s activities will include exhibitions of Kogi’s agricultural prowess, with farmers showcasing produce that underscores the state’s historical role as a food basket for neighbouring regions.

The proximity to Abuja further enhances the potential for agribusiness and logistics opportunities.

The citizen-driven event has garnered endorsements from traditional rulers and notable indigenes of the state. It aims to involve local communities, promoting their crafts, traditions, and industries to a global audience.

With a promise of vibrant festivities, strategic networking opportunities, and a platform to attract global attention, the Kogi International Carnival 2024 is poised to be a landmark event.

Guests are encouraged to explore the state’s hidden treasures, from Lokoja’s confluence of rivers to the historical significance of towns like Kabba and Okene.

The carnival underscores Kogi’s aspiration to blend cultural preservation with economic advancement, making it a must-attend event for lovers of culture and investors seeking untapped opportunities.