The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Villa
Yakubu Gowon Crescent
The Three Arms Zone
Asokoro
Abuja, FCT
Nigeria
Attention: His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Your Excellency,
Re: Expression of appreciation and report on the significant milestones achieved by the Motherland Beckons ipada initiatives
I would like to once again express my gratitude for your decision to accept the role of Chief Host, Grand Patron and Global Ambassador for the Motherland Beckons Ipada Initiatives celebrations 2024.
This decision underscores your clear understanding of the role of tourism in spurring the economic growth of not only Nigeria but Africa as a whole .
Your support of the Ipada Initiatives, which amongst other things, aim to create a framework to encourage and facilitate the process by which persons of African descent reconnect with and become invested in the development of the continent, is not surprising.
I clearly recall that while you were Governor of Lagos State, you enthusiastically embraced the goals of the Motherland Beckons movement and charged two members of your then government; Hakeem Gbajabiamila and Hon. Musilu Obanikoro as well as myself, to establish the requisite connections with the African – American community in USA that would hopefully lead to investments in the Nigeria’s tourism sector as a whole, and in particular, the development of Lagos State’s extensive beach front.
Although the connections made at that time did not bear immediate fruit, I am pleased to advise that Motherland Beckons did not give up on the seeds it sowed as it realized that centuries of distrust and misconceptions about Africa would take time to overcome .
It was with this in mind that Motherland Beckons built upon friendships and conceived and nutured the Ipada Initiatives. These initiatives are weaved around the concept of the return of people of African descent to their continent of origin.
The Ipada Initiatives and the 2024 Ipada Initiatives Celebration , the first edition of which took place in November / December 2024, therefore represent a groundbreaking effort to foster economic transformation, cultural reconnection, and sustainable development in Africa.
These initiatives, driven by a vision to integrate people of African descent into the continent’s economic and cultural fabric, have positioned Nigeria (and Africa) as a central hub for heritage tourism and investment.
Ipada Initiatives aims, through strategic collaborations, investments, and impactful leisure activities, to generate significant economic inflows, create opportunities for local businesses, foreign direct investment, and socio-economic growth.
It also aims to encourage a sense of pride in and connection with Africa in those of African heritage who have been cut off from their roots, a process that worked to their detriment, as it stole their sense of identity.
I am pleased to advise that the first Ipada Initiatives Celebration took place successfully in December 2024.
While we were obviously disappointed that your busy schedule and various international commitments kept you from physically attending the opening event, we are mindful that your staunch support of the Ipada Initiatives contributed immensely to the perception that these initiatives should be taken seriously.
It also underscored our message that embracing these Initiatives would lead to economic growth and were for the ultimate benefit of Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Having successfully concluded the Ipada initiatives scheduled for 2024 and laid a foundation for future initiatives I believe that it is only appropriate to provide a comprehensive report on the progress made and in particular, the envisaged economic impact of same
Report on the 2024 Ipada Initiatives Celebrations
The Celebration promoted cultural tourism by supporting the production and sale of indigenous souvenirs, artworks, and heritage crafts.
This exposure enhanced the global visibility of the African creative industries and local artisans. It also contributed to the financial stability of local communities near the site of the Celebrations. By fostering shared economic growth, Ipada helped and will continue to build bridges between cultures, promoting unity and sustainable development.
The Ipada Initiatives Celebrations directly assisted in the generation of income in the following ways:
1. Attendee Spending (Hotels, Transport, Entertainment)
It is estimated that visitors to / participants in the Ipada Initiative Celebrations expended in terms of hotel accommodation transport and entertainment approximately sum of N251,940,000. Such income went directly to the persons and organizations that provided these services and so had a trickle down effect and impacted on thousands of Nigerians.
Obviously, as the annual celebrations become an established feature in the world’s tourism calendar we expect the revenue earned in this regard to increase significantly .
2. Creative Earnings (Models, Dancers, Singers, DJs, MCs)
During the Celebrations local creatives were employed to provide entertainment. These creatives included models , dancers and traditional musicians. These creatives, who are most youths , were able to earn performance fees in the region of N35 million, which ‘employment‘ income has a knock on effect as it goes directly into the hands of and increases the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians and their dependants.
3. Free AI Training for 300 Attendees
Motherland Beckons secured free Artificial Interlligence training from the Vanatu Government pursuant to which 300 Attendees were trained in AI during the Celebrations. This training opened their eyes to the use of AI and the ways it could be used to develop the continent. It also provided attendees with the opportunity to leverage off the knowledge gained from this training to create future personal income streams and generate money for their personal use .
The training fees for the course would normally have cost approximately US $450 per participant and therefore the training made available translates to a N200 million investment in the digital empowerment of young Nigerians .
The Vanatu Government has kindly undertaken to provide additional AI training opportunities to a total of 1500 Africans via the Ipada Initiatives which means that the aggregate anticipated economic benefit of this training will translate to N636,940,000.
Investments and Business Opportunities
During the course of the year and the Celebrations Motherland Beckons was able to engage with a number of investors and business focused people and organizations who aligned with the goals of the Ipada Initiatives.
Based on the Memoranda of Understanding executed it is envisaged that , with effect from 2025, the following projects will commence and will generate both business and investment income for Nigeria and Africa
1. Slave Ship to Cruise Ship Project –
This involves the construction of 6 cruise ships funded by the Africa Diaspora Central Bank. The ships will transport tourists from the Carribbean to Africa through the Lekki Deep sea port in Lagos.
It is envisaged that this cruise experience will mimic the trans – Atlantic slave experience bit in reverse, providing an once in a lifetime experience for the descendants of slaves to return to the mother continent
The total value of this Project is estimated to be in the region N6,907,860,000,000 at an estimated value of 1,15Trillion naira per cruise ship.
2. Construction of Ubuntu Tower in Lekki Free Trade Zone by the Africa Diaspora Central Bank.
The Ubuntu Tower is designed to be the world’s tallest building.
The value of the project is estimated to be N4,562,100,000,000 and during its construction phase it will provide employment for at least 50,000 Nigerians, a significant proportion of whom will be manual labourers in the strata of Nigerians with the highest unemployment rates. This will ensure the project impacts on the lower strata of Nigerians
3. Establishment of a Carnival Costume Factory in Lagos
This factory will produce ready to wear carnival costumes that can be used locally and internationally. It will also provide direct employment to at least 100 Nigerians. It is envisaged that it will generate earnings of at least N60 million per annum.
4. Tribal Tapestry/Motherland Beckons Partnership
Motherland Beckons is partnering on an Initiative designed to integrate 1,000 African Americans annually with their ancestral communities in Africa.
The package offered will commence with DNA testing and, once a participants ancestral identity is established, arrangements will be made for them to visit their ancestral homeland in Africa and to be physically present in the community from what they take their roots. We believe this will trigger a sense of belonging to Africa and ownership for its success.
It is envisaged that participation in the Tribal Tapestry Package will cost N7,675,000 or US $ 5,200. per person. Based on our target of 1000 people per annum, this will generate revenue of N7.675 billion per annum.
5. Construction of 3 African themed resorts in Taraba State through a Public-Private Partnership
Motherland Beckons has entered into a partnership with the Taraba State Government with a view to assisting in the development of its tourism industry .
It is envisaged that the Resorts will be constructed on a public private partnership basis and will take advantage of Taraba States diverse topography and rich cultural heritage .
It is also envisaged that these projects will generate income for both the State and its people, who will benefit directly from increased employment as well as via contracts for goods and services .
Pan African Initiatives
In line with the vision of the Ipada Initiatives and in particular, its pan – African focus , Motherland Beckons has also commenced initiatives in other countries.
Rwanda
Motherland Beckons has been assisting to facilitate a. Rwanda/Vanuatu Partnership that focuses on Geothermal Energy Exploration, AI Training for 5,000 Rwandans, and Collaborative Tourism Development.
The anticipated value of these investments are in an aggregate sum of US $700,000,000
Vanatu
Motherland Beckons has facilitated a initiation of a partnership between Vanuatu and La Campagne Tropicana for the construction and operation of an African themed Resort in Vanuatu at an investment cost of US $ 50,000,000
Conclusion
We hope that the above report provides an insight into the progress made by the Ipada Initiatives to date.
We were humbled by the fact that many of the MoUs relating to business opportunities signed during the IPADA Initiative Celebrations occurred spontaneously and were triggered by individual and country representatives that were participating in the Celebrations .
In our opinion, this is testimony to the successful impact the Ipada Initiatives have made.
To maintain the momentum while taking account of the planning needs of attendees the Ipada initiatives have rolled out a 5 year (2025 – 2030)hosting schedule which will assist attendees plan their participation in the Celebrations.
We believe that under your leadership Nigeria will continue to solidify its role as a gateway to Africa’s heritage tourism, investment, and economic diplomacy.
In our humble opinion, the Ipada Initiatives will act as a transformative force in Africa’s economic renaissance.
Beyond economic benefits, the Initiatives foster deeper connections between Africa and its diaspora, strengthen local communities, and promote environmental sustainability through the tree planting exercises that have been incorporated as part of the Celebrations.
We feel it is fair to say that although Motherland Beckons Ipada is comprised of Initiatives, it is a movement, creating economic prosperity, cultural unity, and a sustainable future for Africa and its people globally.
We look forward to your continued support as we focus on the successful execution of the Ipada Initiatives.
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