Akwaaba sets stage with traditional pomp and pageantry

L-R: NANTA President, Bernard Bankole, Mr. Talal Alsuwaidi, Manager, Dubai Tourism, Deputy Minister, Zimbabwe Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Annastacid Ndlouv, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser Akwaaba African Travel Market; Mr. Omror Alal, Dubai Immigration, and Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Stanislas Kamanzi at the official opening of 12 Akwaaba holding in Lagos.

It was all colourful at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, the venue for this year’s edition of Akwaaba African Market. The event was declared open on Sunday October 30^th with the usual traditional pomp and pageantry as visitors, exhibitors and special envoys of different countries were ushered to their stands in African style.

The celebrity of the day was the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe, Anastasia Ndlovu, who led the way by officially cutting the four-cord ribbons.

The chief organizer of the event, Mr. Ikechi Uko, accompanied by Ndlovu and other dignitries, did a formal introduction of each stand and encouraged all participants to showcase their worth and patronize one another as they deem fit and necessary.

There were exhibitors from South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Benin, Dubai, Namibia, Kenya and, of course, Nigeria.

Others were Ethiopian Airways and tourism, Ghana’s African Airlines, Emirates and travel agents across the world.

Dubai Tourism superimposed its presence at the event along with 10 other partners across family entertainment, airlines and DMC’s, showcasing its worth as a first choice destination to all travelers.

Other dignitaries that were present at the opening ceremony of the event include NANTA President, Bernard Bankole, Mr. Talal Alsuwaidi, Manager, Dubai Tourism, Mr Ikechi Uko, organiser Akwaaba African Travel Market; Mr. Omror Alal, Dubai Immigration, and Rwanda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Stanislas Kamanzi, among others.

The second day of Akwaaba is dedicated to aviation as travel experts will chart the way forward for the much troubled African aviation industry.