To be candid, the crowd of people this year’s Akwaaba AfTM witnessed, which was officially opened by the Honorable minister for housing, land and urban development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi, seemed to have surpassed that of previous years.
Not until I spoke with Mr. Ikechi Uko, the organiser, who enlightened me that there are fewer number of exhibitors this year, occasioned by the initial Ebola virus scare, so that the many visitors had to crowd over the available exhibitors’ stands. And going by the majority of comments, this year’s exhibition is a historic landmark for the annual event which holds in Lagos.
According to him this scenario has turned out to become very advantageous for the exhibitors who defied all the negativity of Ebola coupled with WHO’s slack and incompetent response and handling of the epidemic almost wiped out the hospitality business in Nigeria. So, according to him, the fewer exhibitors who made it are having more value for their money.
But I must confess that my initial experience on reaching Eko Hotel and Suites that Sunday afternoon of the first day, almost made me turn back, thinking Akwaaba was not going to hold. I rushed straight from Church to the event.
As I walked straight to the hall which I have come to believe, must be used for the event, I must confess the a string of trepidation seized me as I did not see anyone there.
To make matters worse, I saw few people who just lingered around the hall. So, without taking any second thought to the hall names written on my invite, I was almost disappointed and about to start going, then I saw some people wearing red and black coloured vests at the far end of the rear side of the lobby that led to various halls of the hotel. Instantly, I recognised Nimechi, seeming to have added about three more inches over the last year, and towering above all on the registration desk. Next to her was Blessing Onen Ajibra.
With that I felt a little calmed. At the registration desk, I was eager to get through with statutory registration requirements so I can get in. And with all that settled, I went in.
Once inside, it was a ‘wow’ moment for me! I could not believe the crowd that were already inside! All the countries who defied the Ebola-scare, wearing black arm-bands as a solidarity which seems to say that ‘We know that Ebola is threatening our continent and we have lost so may lives, yet we are determined to show the world that Africa will survive the crises. Though we have lost many souls, yet we are moving forward.’ Believe me, it was an emotional moment for me.
Even the organisers showered so many praises on all the countries who demonstrated their commitment to the course of the travel and tourism annual exhibition in Nigeria, to come.
So, despite the fact that it was a Sunday and Nigerians don’t like official or even officially social events put on a Sunday, still we had so many Nigerians. More so, I was so impressed with the number of international guests already waiting for the official opening event.
By Renn Offor
