The Global African Diaspora Symposium (GADS) Abuja 2023 will take place from the 27th to 28th of April, 2023, in Abuja, capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Symposium program will feature the following side events, namely:
GADS ABUJA 2023 PROGRAMME
The attached agenda for the Symposium outlines the details of the programs including side events.
VENUE AND FORMAT OF SESSIONS
State House Conference Centre, Abuja in Plenary. Hybrid Format.
VENUE AND FORMAT OF ALL SIDE EVENTS
RECEPTION ON ARRIVAL
All participants flying into Abuja will arrive at the Arrival Hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Any required assistance can be provided by the Protocol officers, if the organizers are duly notified in advance at info@gadsafrica.org.
The Heads of State and Government, OACPS Secretary-General, and Strategic Officials will be received at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The entry in the above-mentioned complex, is authorized for up to 10 members of each delegation, their respective advance groups or the corresponding diplomatic mission.
However, access to the complex requires a personal credential/badge to be delivered by the Nigerian authorities to the advanced group or to the diplomatic mission of the corresponding country, accredited in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
PROTOCOL RECEPTION
Heads of State and Government and VVIPs will be received and greeted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by a Nigerian ministerial entity.
To prepare the reception, the members of the delegations or the Diplomatic Missions, have to present themselves at the airport protocol, 2 hours before the estimated time of arrival of the aircraft.
This period should be used to identify and check the vehicles provided by the Nigerian authorities, as well as for the advance group to become familiar with them.
IMMIGRATION PROCEDURE
The immigration procedure for VIPs will be carried out at the international airport, in the presence of a liaison officer from the respective country who will deliver and collect the passports and any other documents that may be considered necessary.
Other participants will be processed in accordance with standard regulations.
LUGGAGE
The luggage of the Head of State and Government is exempt from inspection procedures. However, other members of each delegations have to be subject to security inspection, in the presence of the focal point of the country or representative of the accredited diplomatic mission.
FIREARMS
The carrying and use of unlicensed weapons is not allowed in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, delegations at the Head of State and Government level will be allowed the entry of Five (05) firearms previously registered by the competent authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, delivered to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a minimum period of 72 hours, namely:
VEHICLES
The vehicles and the group of escorts will be distributed as follows: One (01) vehicle for the VVIP and Two (02) vehicles for the insurance team.
The use of rented vehicles must be communicated in advance and all details of the vehicle, and the respective driver must be provided.
COMMUNICATIONS
The delegations of Heads of State and Government must provide in advance the number of equipment to be used, its characteristics and the frequency of the radios during the Symposium.
CREDENTIALS/BADGES
The credentials/name tags to be used during the event are limited and have different typologies.
These badges are also to be used by delegation members to accompany their Heads of State and Government, for instance, to the:
MEDICAL
A medical team will be available to attend to the emergency medical needs of participants at the Symposium.
TRANSPORTATION
There are differing modes of transportation in Abuja with the most commonly utilized mode being Uber and Bolt.
There are also Airport and Hotel charter vehicles available for movement.
Participants to the Symposium will be conveyed from the hotels recommended on the website as specified to the venue of the Symposium and returned to those hotels. Private unaccredited and commercial vehicles will not be permitted access.
VISA REQUIREMENT
Issuance of appropriate Visas are handled by the diplomatic Missions (Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates) in country of residence or in third countries, where necessary.
Obviously, the 1st option for participants is to register for the Symposium online at the website, www.gadsafrica.com and apply for visas at the Embassies and Missions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, mainly because it has associated advantages.
In other words, via registration, there are a number of issues that are immediately resolved, namely:
In any case, with regards to official/diplomatic visas, as mentioned above, participants should apply via Embassies and Missions.
However, applicants have to know that for this type of visas, it is necessary to present:
▪ A note verbale requesting for the visa, attaching 1 copy of the passport data page, 2 passport photographs, International Vaccination Certificate and duly completed online application form.
VISA WAIVER AGREEMENTS
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries DO NOT require visas.
CLIMATE
While anticipating the onset of the rainy season, for Abuja during the period of the Symposium, the average daytime maximum temperature will be around 36°C, with a high of 40°C expected in the afternoons. The average minimum temperature will be 25°C, dipping to its lowest in the evening of Thursday 27th at 21°C. Expect seeing a little precipitation and some days with rain. The current forecast indicates Thursday 27th will have the most precipitation with an accumulation of around 19.0mm. On the whole, winds are likely to be light.
CURRENCY
Nigeria’s currency is the Naira. There are Bureaux de Change available at the airport and major hotels for changing foreign currency to Naira.
FRASER SUITES Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
STUDIO DELUXE 257,400.00 205,920.00 447.65
STUDIO EXECUTIVE 283,800.00 227,040.00 493.56
STUDIO PREMIER 297,000.00 237,600.00 516.52
1 BED DELUXE 336,600.00 269,280.00 585.39
1 BED EXECUTIVE 363,000.00 290,400.00 631.30
2 BED DELUXE 600,600.00
2 BED EXECUTIVE 627,000.00
3 BED PENTHOUSE 1,584,000.00
4 BED PENTHOUSE 2,772,000.00
(Other Rooms’ Discount will be on Request)
Contact:
Janet Osakwe
Executive Marketing and Sales Officer
e-mail: janet.osakwe@fraserhospitality.com
+234-706-165-4782
ABUJA CONTINENTAL HOTEL
Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
SUPERIOR ROOM 128,500.00 66,287.00 143.93
JUNIOR SUITE 160,000.00 82,537.00 179.21
PREMIUM ROOM 176,500.00 91,048.00 197.69
EXECUTIVE SUITE 210,400.00
PREMIUM JUNIOR 232,300.00
DIPLOMATIC SUITE 300,000.00
PREMIUM EXEC. SUITE 340,300.00
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE 485,500.00
(Other Rooms’ Discount will be on Request)
Contact:
Nanji Tyem
Assistant Director of Sales
e-mail: nanji.tyem@continental.com
+234-807-409-0989
Dolapo Anifowose
Marketing Executive
e-mail: dolapo.anifowose@continental.com
+234-915-455-9913
JOHN WOOD HOTEL Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
SUPERIOR ROOM 170,000.00 100,000.00 217.39
DELUXE ROOM 190,000.00 130,000.00 282.60
EXECUTIVE ROOM 215,000.00 180,000.00 391.30
(Other Rooms’ Discount will be on Request)
Contact:
Franca Okonkwo
Assistant Business Development Manager
e-mail: admanager@johnwoodhotels.com
+234-908-899-1352
WELLS CARLTON HOTEL Rack Rates Symposium Rates Symposium Rates
(Naira) (USD)
STANDARD ROOM 80,000.00 75,000.00 163.04
DELUXE 100,000.00 80,000.00 173.91
SUPER DELUXE 150,000.00 130,000.00 282.60
JUNIOR SUITE 170,000.00 150,000.00 362.80
EXECUTIVE SUITE 250,000.00 200,000.00 434.78
(Other Rooms’ Discount will be on Request)
Contact:
Pius Martins Ejeh
Sales and Marketing Executive
e-mail: se@wellscarlton.com
+234-806-816-3561
HAWTHORN SUITES Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
QUEEN BED EFF. STUDIO 66,000.00 40,000.00 86.85
Q.B.E – 1 BEDROOM 69,500.00 40,000.00 86.85
KING BED SUITE 1 75,000.00 40,000.00 86.85
Q.B.S. 2 BEDROOMS 114,500.00
K.B.S. 2 BEDROOMS 141,500.00
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE 209,000.00
(Flat Rate on discounted Rooms for full occupancy)
Contact:
Queensley Omiyi
Sales Manager
e-mail: sales1@hawthorn.com.ng
+234-817-288-8619
BOLTON WHITE Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
STANDARD STUDIO 70,000.00 60,000.00 130.28
SUPERIOR STUDIO 80,000.00 60,000.00 130.28
EXECUTIVE SUITES 120,000.00
(Flat Rate on discounted Rooms for full occupancy)
Contact:
James
e-mail: info@boltonwhitehotels.com
+234-903-885-2466
EKITI HOUSE HOTEL (Former NANET SUITES)
Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
LUXURY SUITES 60,000.00 40,000.00 86.85
DELUXE EXTRA 50,000.00 40,000.00 86.85
DELUXE 50,000.00 40,000.00 86.85
(Flat Rate on all Rooms for full occupancy)
Contact:
Oche Emmanuel
Head of Sales
e-mail: ocheemmanuel79@gmail.com
+234-706-554-8661
+234-805-527-0735
PEARLS SHORT-LET Rack Rates Symposium Rates (Naira) Symposium Rates (USD)
STUDIO 20,000.00 15,000.00 32.60
STANDARD 25,000.00 20,000.00 43.47
SUPERIOR 30,000.00 25,000.00 54.34
EXECUTIVE 35,000.00 30,000.00 65.21
Contact:
James Eromosele
Team Lead, Hospitality
e-mail: jameseromosele1@gmail.com
+234-813-028-5672
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The protocol and security instructions are mandatory for all in order to guarantee to each delegation, comfort and security. The procedures for departure of Heads of State and Government/VIP will be identical to those for arrival with the necessary adaptations and adjustments.
GADS is a strategic engagement and collaboration with Diaspora networks around the world, through the platform of the African Union (AU), and the Africa Diaspora Alliance (AFDA) including the United States of America, the Caribbean, Brazil, Canada, Guyana, Fiji, Trinidad, Australasia, Europe and the ‘Diaspora in Africa