By Damilola Adeyera
What if Africa could tell its own tourism story?
About 42 years ago, that question laid its foundation in the mind of a young man named Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye. At that time, only a few people with deep foresight could see what he saw. In the volume of his mind, he imagined a tourism destination that would place Africa’s culture, architecture, food, fashion, music, and natural environment at the center of hospitality and tourism.
His imagination birthed what is now known as La Campagne Tropicana Forest, River & Beach Resort.
For Otunba Akinboboye, imagination is where ideas are first birthed. It is not a luxury but the force that drives innovation, entrepreneurship, and human progress. “Every great invention, every thriving business, every artistic masterpiece, and every societal transformation begins with someone daring to imagine a different future,” he said.
READ ALSO: Throwback: When Gulder Ultimate Search Took Over La Campagne Tropicana
Etched upon this belief is why Otunba Akinboboye believes La Campagne Tropicana is the best place to fuel your imagination. The story of La Campagne itself began with him exercising his imagination. When the idea was conceived, many considered it a fairy tale, with questions arising about the possibility. Many asked, “Why insist on African aesthetics? Why promote African culture as a premium experience?”
These questions only strengthened his conviction rather than discouraging him. The lesson, according to Otunba Akinboboye, is simple: imagination changes the way we see the world. With imagination, there are no barriers or limitations to what the human mind can conceive. La Campagne Tropicana itself is evidence of this idea.
READ ALSO: DISCOVER ILERIMI: A WATERFRONT SANCTUARY OF AFRICAN HERITAGE
Every corner of the resort reflects the power of imagination. Today, visitors arrive at a destination where the Atlantic Ocean merges with a freshwater lake, where palm trees dance against the backdrop of traditional African-inspired architecture, and where nature exists in peaceful coexistence with African culture.
Against the backdrop of his evident imaginative creation, Otunba Akinboboye argues that the same environment that inspired him to create the resort can also inspire those who visit it.
The hustle and bustle of modern life leaves little room for imagination. Life in the city is noisy. The noise from an electricity-generating set is enough to cripple one’s own imagination. Our phones demand our constant attention. Schedules are always “scheduling.” The mind is always preoccupied with one deadline to meet; it rarely has the opportunity to create.
“A day or more at La Campagne Tropicana, that changes,” Otunba Akinboboye believes.
At the resort, the noise of traffic is replaced with the sound of crashing waves. The city’s concrete skylines are replaced with the sight of endless natural landscapes. The fresh ocean breeze ushers you into a sense of calm that fuels reflection and deep thought.
“In an environment like La Campagne, your imagination takes flight. Writers find stories. Artists discover inspiration. Entrepreneurs identify opportunities. Researchers connect seemingly unrelated concepts. Families dream about the future. Children explore the world with renewed curiosity,” Otunba Akinboboye said.
READ ALSO: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye Meets Nollywood Stakeholders Ahead of ‘Odigbose’ Movie
Nature and imagination are not accidental partners. History has shown that some of humanity’s greatest thinkers sought inspiration in natural environments. Away from the noise and distractions, the mind gains the freedom to wander, wonder, observe, and create.
“La Campagne Tropicana offers the freedom to see into the vastness of the ocean. The freedom to marvel at the orchestra of the singing birds of the forest and not the caged ones of the city. Watching the sunset over the water becomes more than a beautiful experience. It becomes a reminder that creativity often emerges when the mind is at peace.” Otunba Akinboboye added.