Girls Don’t Travel Just For Flowers

 

It all started with me reaching out to dearest Wakaholic (Otobong Tom) via email sharing some ideas and recommendations with her and volunteering to plan the launch event. I have followed her for years on social media, I read her travel blog frequently, I watch her YouTube vlogs and we have had a couple of conversations on Instagram prior to then.

We deliberated over the order of program/program schedule and eventually settled for:

Which where printed out and each guest also got a Biro and jotter.

We also deliberated on other decisions and we decided to:

. Make T shirts: for volunteers and the author which came in different sizes in both pink and white with the book design and were made by Deroyalkay studio.

.Making of carrier bags.

.Videography: The replays of the different sessions are available on her YouTube channel.Click here and Click here to watch them

.Decoration: various banners, flowers etc

. World map gifts: for the first person to arrive and the person to launch with highest number of copies

.Cake: with the book design etc.

.She had already settled DJ and Master of Ceremony (MC) prior to me reaching out to her.

. The event held at Radisson Blu Anchorage Victoria Island, Lagos on 31st May 2025.

. I and Ajalanene had read the book before the launch date and did a book review session on the launch day. Our review session looked into: general overview of the book, number of chapters, number of pages, some chapter titles, design of the book, colour combinations, the book being a faction book, ways we see ourselves in the character, mutual destinations with the character, destinations  on our bucket list in the book, favourite phrases in the book, benefits of travelling according to the book, what stood out the most for us, off the beaten path destination, experiencing the kindness of a stranger on a trip, food explorations,historical tourism, personal story on best memories are often made with friends, cultural outfits etc.

The panel session consisted of three panelists who were: Okenna,Nnenna Fakoya Smith and Sewedor Balogun and a Moderator who was: Faith Abassah. The panel also constituted feedback and contributions from the audience. The panel session addressed questions like: solo travelling, if there are things we can do the improve the value of our green passport, racism etc.

The Keynote speaker was Mrs Lebari Ukpong who shared some insights into the book and reasons why we should read it and shared some of her personal experiences around travel.

The authors speech gave a general overview of the process of writing the book, book dedication etc.

There was an official unveiling of the book and a toast to the author. The author also did some book signing.

We were treated to yummy, delicious,sumptuous treats, the options included: samosa, spring rolls, crispy chicken, chicken wings,sandwiches, chicken roll,peppered gizzard,tea, orange juice, pineapple juice, apple juice, cake,water.

It was truly an amazing, awesome,splendid,well curated event.#gdjtff till the ends of the world.

A big thank youuuuuu to those I invited: Nnennaya Fakoya-Smith AKA Ajalanene for doing the book review with me and being a part of the panelists, Sewedor Tobi Balogun for being a panelist

Damilola Ehindero, Jenchat Martins, Sophia Yarna, Olaoluwa Akintan for joining me to volunteer.

Ogundele Oluwatoyin, Mercy Uka, Jessy reads, Gigi for honouring the invitation.

All their either Instagram or tik tok accounts are linked. Kindly click on each name.

                                                                                           

                       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aunty Otobong Tom: THE Wakaholic for trusting me, giving me the opportunity and for the gifts.

#gdjtff is a great book and I am not just saying it, I mean it. There is something in it for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Order a copy of the book,Click here

To know more about the author:

Visit her website,Click here

Visit her Instagram,Click here

Visit her tik tok,Click here

Visit her YouTube channel,Click here

Visit her Facebook page,Click here

I will love to hear from you. Have you already read the book? If you have not will you be ordering a copy? Looking forward to your feedback and review.