Tour Operators in Nigeria, aviation and tourism journalists and others who came from abroad recently hosted Ambassador Ikechi Uko to a surprise birthday party as he turned 60.
Uko is a tourism legend and travel expert in Nigeria and the founder of Akwaaba African travel market, was literally ambushed by well-wishers in a surprise birthday bash at the Nation Museum, Onikan Lagos.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Operating Officer of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, described Uko as a remarkable and respected man who is very smart at what he does, stressing that he is a man of absolute integrity.
“His name is like a cheque. If you ask anybody that knows Ikechi he will tell you he is a man of integrity. He is a standard bearer,” noting that Ambassador Uko is a link between aviation and tourism and in these two related sectors he is like an encyclopedia.
“It is good that our small industry gave you this recognition because it is not easy to market Nigeria. What you have done has uplifted us. Tourism is the easiest way to impact people. There is so much tourism does that we don’t understand. May God continue to bless you,” Uriesi said.
Uko was also honoured by some tourism and hospitality practitioners with the exhibition named after one of his projects, “Seven Wonders of Nigeria”.
The “Seven Wonders of Nigeria” is an exhibition of the 35 most fascinating tourism destinations in Nigeria, compiled by Uko in 2020.
In 2020, Uko led a search trip to identify and market the tourism destinations peculiar to each state of the country, which he tagged “Seven Wonders of Nigeria”.
Some of the tourist destinations identified include Obudu Mountain in Cross River; Ado Awaye Suspended Lake in Oyo; Riyom Rock in Plateau; Owu Waterfall in Kwara; Badagry Beach in Lagos State, Mambila Plateau in Taraba and more.
