Over 70, 000 to storm ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta,’ as Countdown 2024 gets into gear

[By VICTOR NZE]

Over 70, 000 revelers are expected to grace the Lagos Countdown 2024’s ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta,’ as activities lined up for the show get into full swing.

(From left): Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja; Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Idris Aregbe and the State Commissioner for  Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka at the press conference to announce the Greater Lagos Fiesta, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Friday

According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, this expected number of revelers represents a jump from the 20, 000 people who graced the 2022 edition of the fiesta which held across the five Divisions of the state, including; Badagry, Epe, Lagos Island, Ikeja and Ikorodu centres.

Speaking Friday, during the inaugural press briefing to formally announce the event, scheduled to run from December 29 through to January 1, 2024, Mrs Benson-Awoyinka confirmed that this year’s edition will also follow in the tradition of the previous editions by its spread across the five Divisions in the state.

The Lagos Countdown celebration holds annually to usher in the New Year and is organised by the government in partnership with private sector operators, as part of its tourism programmes geared towards boosting the sector and generating revenue for the state.

According to the commissioner, the Lagos Countdown is in line with the government’s ‘focus of deliberately positioning Lagos State to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events.’

Providing more details on the fiesta, the commissioner, explained that the three-day entertainment show ‘apart from showcasing the cultural activities and nurturing up-coming talented youngsters in the entertainment and creative industry, will also positively impact the state’s economy through massive sales of goods and services to thousands of fun and entertainment lovers throughout the duration of the event.’

The press conference which held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by the Special Adviser to State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Mr Idris Aregbe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, alongside the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Prince Adesegun Ogundeji, who represented the commissioners, as well as, the Executive Secretary, Lagos Film and Video Censors Board. Mrs  Adebukola Agbamimoja,  in addition to senior directors at the Tourism ministry.

The tourism commissioner who further disclosed that this year’s edition has been reduced to three days from the previous editions’ seven days of activities, however, assured that the 2023 fiesta ‘will be taken ‘to a whole new level, with three days of non-stop excitement from December 29th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024.’

According to her, the event has ‘over the years proven to be a very engaging and mind-blowing event, providing fun activities and entertainment for Lagosians in their various localities across the five Ibile divisions of the State.’

This is further as the commissioner stressed that the Lagos Countdown 2024, tagged; Greater Lagos Fiesta, has been serving the purpose of discovering and nurturing new talents, exposing young talented entertainers to bigger platforms while also serving as a mechanism for curbing youth restiveness that often characterizes the festive period.

“The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is going to be a fantastic way to bid farewell to year 2023 and welcome the new one, year 2024, with a bang. We have lined up an incredible array of music stars who will grace the stage and thrill all fun lovers from Badagry to Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Ikeja featuring homegrown talents to international sensations, the best of Afro Beats, Highlife, Juju and Fuji music.

“This event is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity that Lagos State has to offer. It’s a celebration of our music, our art, and our vibrant cultural scene. The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is a platform that brings people together, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of unity and community.

“Let me emphasize that this event is not just about the music. The Year 2023 Greater Lagos Fiesta will also showcase the best of our local cuisine, arts and crafts, and traditional performances. Participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Lagos such a unique and vibrant city.

“The details of the entertainers, artists, and other special attractions for participants at the event would be made known in the next few days.

“This year’s edition of our annual end-of-the-year event, being the first in the second term in office of our Governor, will provide a non-stop 72-hour entertainment show including comedy, cultural performances, children corner, and all other entertainment components usually infused into the fiesta,” the commissioner stated.

Benson-Awoyinka, however, solicited the support of the private sector operators for participation, just as she disclosed that opportunities still abound for sponsorship of the three-day programme.

“I want to use this medium to call on members of the public, especially owners of businesses and service providers who are interested using the platform of the Lagos Countdown 2024  #Greater Lagos Fiesta to market themselves to the world, to approach the Ministry for registration.

“Apart from this, the window of sponsorship for the event is also open to interested corporate sponsors willing to collaborate with the State Government to make the event a success,” she said.

The commissioner used the platform of the briefing to express gratitude to ‘all the hardworking individuals and organizations who have made this event possible,’  just as she wooed residents of the state ‘to mark their calendars for this very unique event.’

“I appreciate Mr Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman, and all Members of the State Executive Council, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly through the Chairman House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu.

“The entire Members of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through the Special Adviser to Mr Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Idris Aregbe and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, without your dedication and support, we wouldn’t be able to bring this incredible celebration to life.

“I call on Lagosians to mark their calendars for this very unique event, I urge the media to help us amplify the message for everyone to get ready for the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta! It’s going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter, and joy. Let’s come together as one big Lagos family and make memories that will last a lifetime,” the commissioner said.

On provisions for hotel accommodations for arriving guests from outside the state for the fiesta, the commissioner said such plans will be factored into next year’s edition, as, according to her, the government will allow for demand and supply to dictate the pricing.

The commissioner also assured that the idea of designating hotels as partners to ease accommodation for arriving guests will be key to next year’s programme for the Greater Lagos Fiesta.