Blacks need to retrace their steps back to Africa – Uko

A tourism development expert, Mr. Ikechi Uko, says the 2019 AKWAABA holding in Nigeria would be an opportunity to re-engage blacks in the Diaspora, and help them to retrace their steps back to their roots. Uko, organiser of AKWAABA African Travel Market noted said the decision of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to add the fair […]

A tourism development expert, Mr. Ikechi Uko, says the 2019 AKWAABA holding in Nigeria would be an opportunity to re-engage blacks in the Diaspora, and help them to retrace their steps back to their roots.

Uko, organiser of AKWAABA African Travel Market noted said the decision of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) to add the fair on its tourism calendar was exciting.

He said that the CTO had done so during its Annual General Meeting held April, 2, at Carlton House Terrace, London, United Kingdom.

According to him, CTO, the body that promotes tourism to the Carribeans, has never visited Africa before and the 2019 AKWAABA would mark their first visit to the continent.

“A lot of Nigerian and African destinations are trying to sell to Nigerians in the Diaspora the Badagry slave history, Ife-Yoruba history which links with that of Cuba. This will afford us opportunity to do these,” he said.

This year, AKWAABA, will feature an Africa Diaspora Tourism Conference to celebrate 400 years post slavery. There will also be discussions on how to engage Nigerians in the Diaspora to get more of them to visit Nigeria and West Africa.

The program is scheduled for September 22 to 24 and will include a jollof rice contest among Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Benin Republic and Senegal to promote traditional cuisine. Uganda is also expected at the event.