THIS is the foundation of the Pan African movement! For far too long, Melanated peoples around the globe have been divided stripped from one another. Divided by governments, systems, distance, religion. What I absolutely LOVE about this what Dr. Akinboboye is doing and has birthed transcends everything that has and COULD divide us. Wenona Russ
By Wenona Russ
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote in my debut article that Nigeria’s Tourism Industry was practically non-existent. This really shocked me because – as a Diasporan – I could not wrap my mind around why such a resource-rich and culturally diverse nation as Nigeria would not want to draw tourists – or tourists’ money – to this economy.
It was as if ‘ask and you shall receive’ came into manifestation for me when I had the distinct pleasure to speak to Dr. Otunba over the phone and hear his vision and his heart to build Nigeria through 3 distinct sectors: SET – Security. Entertainment. And TOURISM!
A lot of times, we as a people may think no one ‘gets it’ and so we fail to unite as a PEOPLE because we mistakenly believe others will not understand or follow the vision given to us. When all it takes is open, transparent communication and the ability to LISTEN to all viewpoints, not divide upon what is not agreed upon but make concerted efforts to UNITE based upon what we all CAN agree upon!
THIS is the foundation of the Pan African movement! For far too long, Melanated peoples around the globe have been divided stripped from one another. Divided by governments, systems, distance, religion. What I absolutely LOVE about this what Dr. Akinboboye is doing and has birthed transcends everything that has and COULD divide us.
And he consistently creates ways to UNITE us as a People. I learned that Dr. Otunba has been implementing this philosophy in a passionate quest to help not just Nigeria but the entire continent of Africa to be a world contender in all three of these major sectors – SET – Security. Entertainment. And Tourism.
I am amazed at how we both share the same passion for Nigeria and believe that Nigeria will be great again through SET because I had never heard of Dr. Atunba or the many programs he has implemented over 30 years ago to help grow this country!
Dr. Otunba Wanle is the founder of the very first and the only African-themed Beach Resort, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lagos. He is also owner of Corporate Guards Security, a private security firm with franchises all over Nigeria. CGS specializes in hiring and retaining quality security personnel and has offered hundreds of jobs to Nigerian youths nationwide.
He owns 15 businesses that employ and empower Nigerians. Dr. Akinboboye is also a playwright that has written this AMAZING documentary ‘Motherland Beckons’ which tells of the REAL story behind the Transatlantic Slave Trade from an ancient African perspective and not an American or European one. I saw the trailer and was literally moved to TEARS watching it!
Dr. Otunba has created Otunba Entertainment so that Africans and Diasporans alike can learn to be entertained by African music, festivals,and acting. Every year, the festival is held to celebrate African culture, entertainment, and cuisine in a secure, fun environment. The Africa Celebrates 2024 affair was just held this past weekend at La Campagne and it was a HUGE success! ECOWAS Ambassadors and people from all over the world were in attendance at this event.
“It’s with immense pleasure and pride that I stand before you today to address the inaugural “Africa Celebrates” the West African regional event. This occasion marks a significant milestone in the narrative of our beloved Continent —a narrative rich with diversity, resilience, and boundless potential,”
“Africa, often painted with the broad brushstrokes of adversity and struggle, is a continent teeming with vibrancy and creativity. Today, as we gather to celebrate the richness of our culture, heritage, and achievements, we shedlight on the facets of Africa that often go unnoticed in mainstream narratives.”
Even Queen Aruk II, Obonganwan Marie Ikpeme Erete, hailed from the Odukpani LGA of Cross River.
It was indeed an honor to have been personally invited to the coveted event. As I spoke with Dr. Otunba and read of all his amazing works, I am extremely hopeful and excited that there are some Nigerians that see the vision! There are so many opportunities here to grow the Nigerian company that is NOT dependent upon the government.
This is pivotal and key in helping Nigeria become great, greater than she has EVER being. The lesson that is being learned in America is that it depends upon the government too much. And as a result of that over-dependence, many of the freedoms and liberties we were programmed to believe were inherently ours we are finding out that they are actually non-existent.
African Americans are not free to open businesses as Nigerians are here. There is a lot of governmental red tape and manipulations at play in the U.S. that make it very challenging for Blacks to open businesses. Only the best earning and most educated blacks open businesses and are successful at it…but ALL blacks are overly governed. We still find it extremely hard to get business loans…and most of those available are government backed loans.
The stipulations are strict and the government runs your church, ministry or company if they give you any loans or tax breaks as a minority. A black man cannot just buy a food truck, park on the street or in the parking lot in the U.S. and start cooking! The major barrier to the world being exposed to how great Nigeria truly is, is the SECURITY ISSUE.
Dr. Otunba’s security firm and security consciousness makes me so proud. His security is top notch, professional, courteous and prompt! You don’t know how many times I have encountered security at various estates and compounds, or at certain government checkpoints, who were just downright mean, rude, dismissive or was expecting pay and tips for doing their job! I was warned ahead of time that this would happen before my first mission trip in 2021. I just couldn’t believe it would be so much~CGS security personnel do not require lots of education or training to be hired.
They receive ongoing, on the job training that keeps them at the top of their game! Having security that is dedicated to securing people but insisting on doing so in such a manner that the people feel not only secure, but professionally and courteously handled is a MUST in Nigeria. My heart aches to see how Nigerians born and raised here are treated by security personnel. Back in the U.S. when I worked firsthand with the Police Review Committee in charge of setting up guidelines to handle police oversight and complaints, I always emphasized that the people will submit to police that they know they can trust. If the police are not trusted, then the people will not call them. Or submit to them. Or report crime. Or come forward as witnesses to crimes.
Community engagement, relationships between the police and the community and openness is a must in helping the police to do thir jobs. But if the police are not right, the people will not bother to hear them. I see very few Nigerians just ‘kick it’ with the police. And they are kind of stand-offish with professional security personnel. This is because there is no trust there.
Dr. Otunba has recognized that void and trains his security personnel to do what is right. Having all the greatest tourist attractions and events on the continent is an incredible way to open up the tourism market in Africa, in Nigeria, in particular. It has the potential to bring in billions of naira to the economy. But the security issue MUST be dealt with in such a way to ensure it is safe for tourists to come!
Explore and experience Nigerian culture. I am thankful that Dr. Otunba Wanle has paved the way to making a greater Nigeria a reality by all of his remarkable works and accomplishments!
