IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025 promises a powerful cultural renaissance at La Campagne Tropicana, celebrating Africa’s art, theatre and heritage
IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025 is generating palpable excitement as preparations intensify for the 10-day cultural festival scheduled to take place from 28 November to 7 December 2025 at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The globally acclaimed event, conceived by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder and President of La Campagne and Motherland Beckons, continues to cement its place as one of Africa’s grandest celebrations of heritage, identity and tourism.
This year’s edition promises a powerful blend of culture and creativity, with theatre taking centre stage.
The highlight will be two original plays written by Cash Onadele Aiye-Ko-Ooto, performed by a talented cast of professional Nigerian artistes known for their mastery of live performance.
The organisers described the forthcoming festival as “not just a carnival, but a cultural awakening — a renaissance of art, a celebration of heritage, and an affirmation of African identity.”
According to them, IPADA 2025 will be ten magical days and nights of Africa Rising, where the continent’s theatrical heritage unfolds in its purest form — complete with drama, music, dance, costumes and lighting that recreate the splendour of African storytelling.
“Aiye-Ko-Ooto’s stories elevate theatre; they are Africa’s stories — yours, mine and ours,” the organisers said. “You don’t just come to watch; you come to become part of history, part of destiny.”
They described the performances as “a cultural revolution — a rebirth of heritage and a reclaiming of Africa’s pride.” Each drumbeat, each movement, they said, echoes one truth: “Africa is the shell to the soul of man.”
The IPADA Initiative Celebration— meaning mass exodus of people—was established to reconnect people of African descent with their roots and to reimagine Africa as a thriving hub of tourism, investment and creativity.
Supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria, various state governments, corporate bodies, and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the event has President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Global Ambassador, Chief Host and Grand Patron.
Akinboboye explained that the initiative is designed to attract millions from the African diaspora back to the continent.
“We have over 200 million people of African descent across the world. IPADA presents Africa in a single basket — an African shopping mall — where our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora can reconnect, invest and add value to the continent,” he said.
Lagos and Abuja have been designated as gateways to the continent, offering year-round programmes that culminate in the annual grand celebration at La Campagne Tropicana.
As the countdown begins, anticipation builds for an unforgettable experience that promises not only entertainment but a renewed sense of cultural pride and connection to Africa’s roots.
Culture4 years ago
