The Metropolitan Police Expedition Club and the Expedition society of Nigeria (ESN)  have  pencilled down Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor , his Niger State counterpart, Dr Babangida Aliyu and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar for  an International Tourism award.

According to Mr Andy Uwajeyon, Chairman, Board of Trustee of the Expedition Society of Nigeria (ESN),  facilitators of the project in Nigeria, the award had received the endorsement of a wide section of British Expedition/tourism interests and would come up in London in July this year.

The Expedition Society of Nigeria (ESN) said the award was predicated on the contributions of the Governors and their State as well as individuals in the immortalization of the Lander Brothers, considered as an important historical link between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

Specific mention was made of the construction of the Lander Brothers’ Anchorage in Asaba and the recent upgrading of the facility with a Boat House to accommodate the boat used at the 2004 Richard Lander Memorial Expedition which started in New Bussa and ended in Asaba.

Also listed was the construction of an Information Technological Centre in New Bussa built by the Emir of Borgu, who is also an award recipient, finished by the Niger State Government and equipped by the Richard Lander School in Truro, Conwall, England.

The IT project which the Expedition Society of Nigeria (ESN) said it facilitated in 2008 was to served as interface between the children of Richard Lander school in Truro and New Bussa.

The former Vice President,Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, according to the Expedition Society of Nigeria (ESN) was included in the award because of the immense support he gave to the 2004 Richard Lander Memorial Expedition to mark the 200th birth anniversary of the Richard Lander.

The Expedition Society of Nigeria also stated that a pre_event inspection visit would be embarked upon in the month of May by the Metropolitan Police Expedition Club in conjunction with the ESN to verify the authenticity of the projects and other developmental strides of Delta and Niger States.

The itinerary of the inspection visit will take the team to the British High Commissioner in Abuja and the Inspector General of Police after which the team depart to Niger and Kogi State and thereafter to Delta State. The team is also expected to pay courtesy call on the former Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

The ESN further added that the theme of the conference is Expedition and Tourism: A means to world peace, Economic growth and Global Integration, slated for 20th July, 2009.