Flush from the success of the maiden edition of the Tourism Retreat and Roundtable in 2024 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) has earmarked Friday, May 9, to Sunday, May 11, 2025 for this year’s edition.
The executive council of the Committee, which disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Friday, May 2, 2025, said this year’s Retreat and Roundtable would take place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The lion’s share of activities, it said, would be centered on De Signature Hotel Towers & Suites in the ancient city.
NEWSWIRE Law Events magazine’s correspondent in Lagos reports that the press conference was graced by the Chairperson and Treasurer of the NBA-SBL, Ozofu ‘Latunde Ogiemudia and Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, respectively; the Chairperson of the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Chinenye Oragwu; and the Chairperson of the Retreat and Roundtable Planning Committee, Pamilerin Akabunwa. Other members of the Committee present at the occasion were Femi Fajolu; Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade; Kemi Afesojaiye; Gloria Ireka; Adekunle Olaofe and Nathalia Odidika-Esezobor.
After the head of the Committee’s media team, Kemi Afesojaye set the ball rolling with formal introductions, the Chairman of the NBA-SBL, Ozofu Ogiemudia, in her brief opening remarks, applauded the theme of this year’s Retreat and Roundtable, ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Hospitality and Tourism from Seasonal Hype to Sustainable Prosperity’ as a laudable objective, saying Nigeria’s ability to monetize her natural, cultural and historical endowments was at the heart of the sustainability and growth of her tourism industry. The traction generated by last year’s Abeokuta adventure, she said, has created a template that this year’s edition will build on and expand. Speaking to the theme, the SBL chairperson said, such seasonal celebrations as ‘Detty December’ need to morph into more sustainable fixtures on Nigeria’s tourism map in order to be viable, to generate revenues, to create jobs and to contribute more meaningfully to the national economy.
Also speaking, Chinenye Oragwu, the TTH Committee chair, enumerated a number of the benefits that were derived from the maiden tourism retreat and roundtable – citing the actionable plans and strategic partnerships that emanated from the Abeokuta engagement.
A blow-by-blow breakdown of the daily activities at the forthcoming Ibadan engagement was given by the chairperson of the planning committee for the retreat and roundtable, Pamilerin Akabunwa. The engagement, which begins with a scenic train ride from Lagos to Ibadan on Friday, May 9, will feature visits to major tourist sites in the city. Ibadan is particularly rich of tourist delights, Akabunwa said, as it boasts a potpourri of cultural, historical and educational places of interest.
Among these sites is the imposing
Mapo Hall, a colonial-style city hall built in 1929. It features seven halls representing the proverbial seven hills of Ibadan – famously immortalized in John Pepper Clark’s poem, Ibadan.
Another interesting site is the Bower Memorial Tower, a 60ft-tall historic monument honouring Captain Robert Lister Bower, who is reputed to be the first British resident of Ibadan. The tower offers a panoramic view of much of the ancient city.
The Irefin Palace, a beautiful colonial-style building, originally boasted over 185 rooms in its heyday – although some rooms have now fallen into disuse over the years due to the ravages of time and neglect.
Ibadan also offers nature at its most pristine. Among its delights in this regard is the IITA Forest Reserve, a vast forest reserve with diverse flora and fauna, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Same with the Agodi Gardens, a popular garden with a mini-zoo, water park, and picnic areas, which are perfect for family outings.
The Ibadan Zoo is unique in that it is located within a university, and features various mammals, amphibians and other animals.
Other attractions include the iconic Cocoa House, a multi-storey building with a museum, hall of fame, and a beautiful fountain. As the name implies, the edifice is a legacy of the booming cocoa-based economy of the old Western Region of Nigeria, which was the mainstay of the Region’s economy until recently.
For those always on the lookout for a bargain, the popular Bodija Market, is a bustling open market where one can try local produce and buy souvenirs.
One can also buy souvenirs at the National Museum of Unity, an institution showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The Ibadan engagement, Akabunwa added, will also feature courtesy visits to key industry stakeholders and other dignitaries. The highlight of the Ibadan event will be the Roundtable, which will feature highly engaging discussions on the path forward for the Nigerian travel, tourism and hospitality industry, in line with this year’s theme – namely, ‘Repositioning Nigeria’s Hospitality and Tourism from Seasonal Hype to Sustainable Prosperity’
All these, plus fine dining, wining and networking opportunities – which will culminate in a Cocktail and Closing Party, Akabunwa said – would make for an unforgettable learning and fun experience for all attendees.
Also, according to Femi Fajolu, a member of the executive council of the Committee, Ibadan offers a unique culinary experience (thanks to its famous amala delicacy, among other delights) as well as a momentary escape from the hustle and bustle of Lagos.
In separate conversations with NEWSWIRE Law Events magazine, the
Chairperson of the NBA-SBL, Ozofu Ogiemudia, respectively; the Chairperson of the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, Chinenye Oragwu; and the Chairperson of the Retreat and Roundtable Planning Committee, Pamilerin Akabunwa spoke on the Committee’s efforts, along with key stakeholders and strategic partners (in both the public and private sector) to ensure the sustainability of the sector in general – and individual tourist sites in particular. The trio also pronounced themselves highly encouraged by the synergy that has been generated among said stakeholders, as well as by the increased awareness on the part of the general public – who, they said, are beginning to realize that Nigeria was blessed by the same endowments they routinely travel out of country (at considerable cost in foreign exchange) to see and enjoy. They expressed the hope that the fallout from the Ibadan retreat and roundtable will translate into more robust investments in the industry – and a consequent improvement in the profile and fortunes in the Nigerian travel, tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
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