As Nigeria celebrates it’s 100 years Abuja Bantaba this year will celebrate the pioneers, the exceptional, innovators and the legends of the travel business some of whom have never been recognized before this comes as the world celebrates 100 years of Aviation. Some of the people to be honored will Include the former Aviation minister Princess Stella Oduah. She will be honored as a Legend of Travel in Nigeria. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan will also be honored as the Aviation Governor of the year and Governor Liyel Imoke as Tourism Man of the year. The New Minister of Land,Housing and Urban Development Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, who was the commissioner of Tourism in Akwa Ibom state and started the work on the majestic Le Meridien Hotel Ibom in Uyo will also be honored
Today Delta state is the only state with two viable airports for fixed wings flights at Brand new Asaba airport and the Osubi airport in Warri and this feat is due to the efforts of Dr Uduaghan who built a brand new airport from the scratch and got the federal government to designate it as a cargo Airport.
As Aviation Minister Princess Oduah left a mark on the aviation sands of times that will take a long time to be surpassed. She upgraded the Airports,transformed some into international Airports and started the construction of brand new international terminals in Abuja,Lagos,Port Harcourt,Kano and Enugu. She transformed the Airport environment in Nigeria.
Governor Imoke to be honored
One of the Best Tourism leaders in the history of Nigeria Governor Liyel Imoke will be honored at this years Abuja Bantaba.Governor Imoke took up the Tourism projects of Cross River and drove it to phenomenal heights.The world Famous Carnival Calabar known as the biggest Street Party in Africa grew from a local event to a global event. From less than a thousand Hotel rooms in Calabar to over 4000 rooms in Calabar which are mostly fully occupied in the one month long Calabar Festival. To make Tinapa fully functional Governor Imoke launched the Summit Hills project to be completed before 2015. The Summit Hills a signature Project is a composite mixed use area adjoining Tinapa with a 160 house estate,an 18hole golf course,a world class Convention centre and a 200 room hotel among other facilities.
Cross River state has led the tourism promotion business in Nigeria using the Carnival as it’s pivot,drawing participation from all over the world establishing the carnival as a must watch event in Africa.
The other personalities who were carefully drawn from both core and allied tourism and travel sector, based on their immense contribution to tourism include CP Audu Bako the former Governor of old Kano State, seen as one of the greatest tourism visionaries in Nigeria along with Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia former Governor of Old Bendel State credited with numerous tourism projects and Dr Donald Duke the former governor of Cross River State.
Other pioneers in Aviation include Chief Igbinedion of the famous Okada Air the first private major airline in Nigeria, Sir Louis Ojukwu of Ojukwu Transport, Chief Ubajiaka of Izuchukwu transport, Austin Ilodibe of the famous Ekene Dili Chukwu.
In addition, frontline hospitality and tour operations will be honoured along with the first male and female pilots and the Nigerian who invented the popular Chapman drink.
Calabar Carnival comes to Abuja
For most people who cannot go to Calabar in December Abuja Bantaba is the opportunity to see this world famous spectacle play outside of Calabar. The Carnival Calabar will showcase to a select audience at the 4th edition of Abuja Bantaba the meeting event for travel professionals on the 25th of April
Since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914, one of the pillars of integration and growth of the country was the transport system built initially on the back of the North –South rail network which now includes; Road, Air, Riverine and Pipeline movement.
The modern Nigeria is built on an integrated transport system that carries millions of people around the country that includes over 14 Million Air Travellers through 22 official Airports, aviation was the last to join the Rail, Road and River Travel in Nigeria.
Today, Nigeria is one of the fastest growing hospitality hotspots in the world and with a huge travelling public and aviation profile with its travel agents generating over $1.25b in a year. With transformation in progress, it is expected that the future of travel business in Nigeria is bright.
It is against this backdrop that the organizers of Abuja Bantaba announced its plans to honour certain individuals as well as companies in the Tourism and Travel Business in Nigeria in line with Nigeria’s celebration of her 100 years together as one entity. The centenary of Nigeria comes with different landmark celebrations and for the tourism sector and players, the stage is set to roll out drums not only to assess and celebrate achievements, but also to encourage icons whose efforts are indelible at bringing tourism promotion to limelight.
According to the organiser of Abuja Bantaba, “the annual travel event organised by Akwaaba Travel Market in Abuja, which is a one-day speed-dating event at Abuja Sheraton Hotel, in its fourth edition celebrate with Nigeria the Centenary.
“As part of our centenary, we seek to honour the best of Nigeria 100 travel companies selected as the leading travel organisations in Nigeria and list of 100 top hotels.
“To this end, a special edition of our annual magazine Travellers Yearbook will be launched.
Ikechi Uko said the publication will include a compilation of 100 Nigerians that have made impact in the development of tourism and travel in Nigeria’s history and the top 100 organisations at the forefront of travel business today in Nigeria. ‘The publication and the listed organisations and people will be honoured at the 12th Travellers Award ceremony at Abuja on April 25,” Uko added.
EIL Telecom Rebrands @ Abuja Bantaba, to Launch the ELPAZIO Brand
One of the leading hospitality technology solutions suppliers in Nigeria EIL Telecoms will be launching its new name at the 4th Abuja Bantaba. Abuja Bantaba is the annual event for the travel industry taking place on the 25th of April in Abuja.
According the Chief Executive Mrs Nkoli Moka ” we are known for Delivering world class solutions to the hospitality industry. For decades (as EIL Telecom Ltd), now rebranded to ELPAZIO LTD, this has been our expertise. We offer these with first class service to discerning hotels and hospitality businesses nationwide. We invite you to take advantage of our experience in the buiness of hospitality technology solutions from the world acclaimed industry brands we represent”.
Royal Senchi Resort to showcase in Abuja Bantaba
As one of Ghana’s most iconic hotels, The Royal Senchi is already the favorite of celebrities, world leaders, royalty and high in society – It is quite simply the place to be in Ghana currently. Whether you are staying in one of the exquisite rooms and suites, unwinding in the spa, cruising on a boat on the Volta Lake, enjoying cuisine or indulging in one of the legendary afternoon teas, you will experience the epitome of timeless glamour. The serene environment and architecture of this facility was painstakingly designed to complement each other with a fine blend of tradition and modernity. The serenity you get from our lush and vast greenery is amazing. The closeness of our rooms to the historic Volta River gives you a soothing atmosphere to die for. Our room configuration is unique and absolutely incredible and without a doubt the first of its kind in West Africa. Our suites boast of state of the art facilities that not even any 5 star hotel in Ghana comes close to. The Resort is simply a beauty in the heart of nature.
