TODAY IN LAGOS, JOLLOF RICE WAR AT AKWAABA 2018

Senator Mrs Florence Ita Giwa (middle); Mr Gabe Onah; Mr Ikechi Uko (4th left); the team from Dubai and the Calabar Carnival beauties

By Paul Ukpabio

Today, AKWAABA was everything AKWAABA should be. As at the time of the opening ceremony at the scheduled 2pm, the venue of the event at the prestigious Eko Hotel, Lagos, was already filled with Chaimen of tourism boards from different countries across Africa and other continents. There were also CEOs of airlines, top government officials from Nigeria, and other African countries, stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, exhibitors and many others who had not only come to network, but also to see who wins the much talked about jollof rice competition between Nigeria, Ghana and Gambia.

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, DG National Council for Arts and Culture NCAC (3rd left with blue cap)

Co-sponsored by the Lagos State government, the Lagos State Governor through the office of tourism, had a good will message for AKWAABA, so did the Cross River State government owners of ‘Calabar Carnival' led by Senator Mrs Ita Giwa who arrived with a big entourage and spiced up the venue with 'a bevy of beautiful ladies in carnival costumes, a sign of what to expect this December in Calabar.

(Left, Stella Obinwa of Dubai Tourism with Mrs Ikechi Uko and fun loving children

Senator Mrs Florence Ita Giwa showcased the beauty of Calabar at the event along with Mr Gabe Onah and Remlord boss Nkereuwem Onung.

This year’s AKWAABA parades big names Southern Sun, Ethiopian Airlines, Ziziglow Travels & Tours, Palm Tours, WAHEGURU Travels, Air Namibia, Ghana Tourism Authority, FAAN, National Council for Arts and Culture, Africa World Airlines, trips n stay, AOG collections, Wontra, the entire tourism body from Dubai, South Africa and lots more.

While Senator Florence Ita Giwa commended Dr Ikechi Uko and the AKWAABA team for a good job well done, Nigeria's Arts & Tourism Face, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe had good assurances for all the guests and participants, of a nice time at this year’s AKWAABA.

Left, Gbenga Onitilo and team at Air Namibia

So who won the jollof rice competition this year? Everybody was busy eating the different delicacies while the judges who hail from different countries were busy working.

(2nd Left) Isaac Adomako-Mensah and others at Ghana Tourism Authority stand

And the winner will be announced after this time out! Tomorrow will be Day 2 at AKWAABA. See you there...

Akwaaba African Travel Market is an international travel, hospitality and tourism event organized in Lagos, Nigeria providing businesses, investors, professionals and buyers in the industry in Africa an opportunity to meet.