Buzzapp Master 
…Google acknowledges feat, Ondo endorses event
Recently, the Nigerian tourism industry recorded yet another feat with the grand entry of the first hilltop carnival in the world, following the staging of the carnival recently at the La Campagne Tropicana Forest, Hills and Cave Resort at Ita Nla, Ondo town in Ondo State.
Interestingly, the carnival has received the acknowledgement of Google, and Wikipedia, renowned global search engines, as the first-of-its-kind in the world, as no country has hosted a carnival on hilltop except on the street as street party.
Since May 1, 2025, when it made its debut, the hilltop carnival has been trending on the platforms of both global bodies, with the video clips receiving thousands of views and comments from people of diverse backgrounds across the world.
The global feat was accomplished by Wanle Akinboboye, founder and President, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, known for his ever resounding creative ferment and proclivity in boosting Nigerian tourism by creating unique cultural tourism, entertainment and creative products.
The one-day Hilltop Carnival, which came on the heels of the recently launched La Campagne Africa Beach Safari, is seen as part of the build up by Akinboboye to the celebration of IPADA Celebrations 2025 later in the year. IPADA celebrations, which debuted last year as Motherland Beckon’s activation, is designed by Akinboboye to promote Nigeria and Africa through his concept of Continent Building, by attracting Africans in the Diaspora and lovers of Africa to Africa, Motherland, not only to reconnect with their root but also to savour its beauty and contribute its economy development.
Meanwhile, on the day of the carnival, Ondo town was agog and in celebration mood, with everyone, old and young as well as children, headed to the hills resort for the carnival. It was a fun-filled celebration, with pageantry on display as the various groups and individuals, all colourfully attired took turns to entertain the guests, through their curated music and dance.
It was an enthralling and colourful occasion to behold as the entire resort came alive with celebration and became one big theatre to harvest fun served in simmering and colourfull palates by the revellers and the bands led by Atunda Entertainment and their star acts.
“We have added a new innovation to global regular carnivals,” Akinboboye said.
With the record Hill Top Carnival now trend across the globe on Google and Wikipedia platform, Akinboboye has again made history and etched his name on the sand of times and imprint of Nigerian tourism, which he said is focal point.
The carnival, which will be celebrated annually at the resort, is part of his commitment to deepening the tourism offering of Ondo, his home town, by making it top of the mind for tourists.
Akinboboye disclosed plans to bring back the Mare Festival in 2026, initiated by him years ago during the era of Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of the state.
It was celebrated with pageantry at Idanre Hills, attracting hundreds of tourists and mountaineers from across the world.
Excited by the successful hosting of the carnival, he disclosed that commendable reactions have been pouring in from across Nigeria and the world, with many already comparing the carnival to the likes of the Brazilian Rio Rio de Janeiro Carnival, and Nottinghill Carnival, among others.
This is as shared his notion of the carnival, saying, ‘‘But here we are, the famous carnivals around the world are all street carnivals. The beauty of what we have all witnessed today is that the carnival on the hilltop is not just colourful but it is a new innovation to the erstwhile regular carnivals.
‘‘That is why it is the first ever world carnival on the hilltop. The Carnival Calabar that we all know is a street party just as the Fanti Carnival in Lagos. So, over here in Ita Nla, Ondo State, we have created a unique addition to world tourism, which is the world carnival on the hilltop. And watch out, next year, we will also be having the Mare Festival in Ondo State.”
Meanwhile, Ondo State has endorsed the newly introduced hilltop carnival, noting that it promotes and boosts the state’s tourism offerings.
The state also commended the efforts of Akinboboye at exposing the sate to the world through his various tourism imprints, especially in Ondo town.
The endorsement was convened by Ogunwumiju Moyinoluwa, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ondo West Constituency 1. “I am very glad to be here. We have been able to make history here today with the first ever world carnival on the hilltop,” he said.
‘‘This is a carnival that everyone will love to be part of, especially our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora when they come home to see the heritage that we have preserved over the years. I commend Olawanle Akinboboye in creating this tourism attraction.
‘‘We are proud of this tourism offering that you have brought to our state. This is the maiden edition, we know that next year will be bigger than this one. We are going to support this and I must add that I truly enjoyed myself today.’’
Also speaking at the event, Ayotunde Akinfolarin, chairman, Ondo West Local Government Area, said, “This resort is an awesome place to be, a landmark has been turned into a tourism zone and up here on the hills is a fun place to be.
‘‘We will continue to support him to develop tourism potential in Ondo State. We have a 15-point agenda, including tourism. The carnival on the hills is a fantastic show. I was not expecting anything less from my brother, Wanle Akinboboye. The development of Ondo West is of great importance to the state”.
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