The Guardian (Nigeria)

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort Is A Beacon Of Creativity, Ingenuity – Tourism Minister

- By Maria Diamond

The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade- John has paid a visit to La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, describing the resort as, "a beacon of creativity and ingenuity, a testament to Nigeria's richness and diversity.’’ This is as she pledged her commitment to the preservati­on and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage.

The Minister, who was accompanie­d by her retinue of aides, including the Director of Domestic Tourism, Mr Sunday Bisong, was received by the Founder and President of La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, who took her and her team on tour of the vast expanse of resort.

She was treated to the unique tradition of the multiple- awards winning African themed resort, which is noted for its promotion of Nigerian and African heritage blended with suffusing and effervesce­nt dosages of cosmopolit­an and luxuriatin­g appeal. Ade- John had an immersive experience of the rich resort, climaxing with a musical performanc­e by Atunda Entertainm­ent, a musical group founded by Akinboboye. The star artiste of the group, Ara Thunder, a naturally gifted female talking drummer, put up a wellchoreo­graphed performanc­e to the delight of the Minister.

Enamoured by the beauty, resourcefu­lness, creativity and rare offerings of the resort, the Minister commended Akinboboye for the treat, noting, ‘‘ for allowing us to immerse ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of the Nigerian culture and heritage visible everywhere at the resort.’’

Not done with her eulogies yet, she said, "La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is a beacon of creativity and ingenuity, a testament to Nigeria's richness and diversity. Through its intricate presentati­on of architectu­re, cultural practices, cuisine, and entertainm­ent, the resort encapsulat­es the essence of our unique identity, inviting visitors to discover and appreciate our heritage.

"As we gather amidst the breathtaki­ng beauty of this resort, let's reflect on the significan­ce of our shared cultural heritage. Nigeria, with its myriad traditions, languages, and customs, is a treasure trove of diversity, a mosaic of experience­s waiting to be explored and celebrated.

‘‘ This resort serves as more than a destinatio­n for leisure; it's a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, a space where people from all walks of life can come together to learn, share, and celebrate what makes us uniquely Nigerian."

She disclosed that as part of her agenda of putting Nigerian tourism on the global map that she would pursue with vigour the preservati­on and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage as signposted by the resort, which she said fully embodied what Nigeria stands for as a bastion of unique cultural tapestry.

According to her, "Through initiative­s like La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, we harness tourism's power to showcase Nigeria's beauty and diversity while fostering economic growth and sustainabl­e developmen­t.

‘‘ I urge all stakeholde­rs present to continue supporting endeavours that celebrate our Nigerian identity and promote cultural tourism, ensuring places like La Campagne Tropicana serve as beacons of pride and inspiratio­n.’’

The Minister then expressed her deep appreciati­on to the management and staff of resort for their unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to showcasing the best of Nigeria. Adding that, it is her hope that her visit, ‘‘ would mark the beginning of a new era, a renaissanc­e of Nigerian culture and heritage shining brightly for generation­s to come.’’

Akinboboye gladdened by the Minister’s visit, expressed his appreciati­on to her for the visit, stressing that tourism is not just about sites, and destinatio­ns but also about the culture and traditions of the people. With the visit to the resort in less than two months of her fully resuming back on her desk, the Minister has shown the imperative of engaging actively with the various stakeholde­rs and investors in the sector in order for her to have a better appreciati­on of the sector.

In this wise, the visit to La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is commendabl­e when viewed against the background of what the resort represents and the efforts put in over the years by Akinboboye to showcase the resort as a mega enclave for practical tourism and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage in all its ramificati­on.

This is obvious from the immersive cultural experience that any visitor to the resort is treated to given the deliberate effort by Akinboboye in creatively curating a blend of Nigerian cultural elements in a very colourful and appealing manner for the delight of visitors who always crave for more treats.

 ?? ?? Lola Ade- John ( left), Akinboboye and Ara Thunder
Lola Ade- John ( left), Akinboboye and Ara Thunder

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