…Reveals Plans to Promote Beach Tourism
By Rasaq Adebayo
Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has unveiled plans to hold a 72-hour #Greater Lagos Fiesta – a non-stop entertainment show beginning from the 29th of December, 2023 to the early hours of 1st January, 2024.
According to the Ministry, the three-day end-of-the-year event is part of activities conceived to herald the Y2024 with an anticipated number of participants of over 25,000 who will be thrilled with different types of entertainment including cultural performances, and children’s corners, amongst others.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who made this known on Friday at a news conference in Ikeja said the Ministry will use the annual end-of-the-year event to also market its beach potential.
According to her, the grand finale which was usually held at Eko Atlantic City would now be held at Sol Beach in Iru-land as a way of exposing the State’s rich beachfront potential to fun lovers and tourists.
She added that interested participants who still want to join the countdown event at the Eko Atlantic City venue would be provided with a large viewing screen where the activities at the Sol Beach can be transmitted live, in addition to a dedicated channel on DSTV that would stream the event activities throughout the three days.
The Commissioner, alongside the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oloruntoyin Atekoja, also assured participants of adequate security at all the designated venues of the countdown event.
She said: “We have put a lot in place for security, we are working actively with all security apparatus of the state, the Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence, LASTM and Neighbourhood Watch, among other security operators in the state.
“The Lagos Countdown 2024, #Greater Lagos Fiesta, has become an annual tradition, a celebration of music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos. This year, we are taking the event to a whole new level, with three days of non-stop excitement from December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024.
“We are intentional in our focus of deliberately positioning Lagos State to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events.”
While noting that the annual fiesta 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 s?State, the Commissioner maintained that the event is beyond a musical show or fun event.
In her words: “Let me emphasise that this event is not just about the music. The end-of-the-year countdown, #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 flavours that make Lagos such a unique and vibrant city.
“The Lagos Countdown 2024 (#Greater Lagos Fiesta), will continue to serve 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 characterises the festive period.”
She affirmed that the three-day event, 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 event.
She listed the venues of the event to include Badagry Grammar School in Badagry; Agege Stadium, Agege; Ikorodu Town Hall Ikorodu; Sol Beach Oniru; and Epe Recreational Centre, Epe.
“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,’’ the Commissioner stated.
She urged interested corporate sponsors ready to collaborate with the State Government to make the event a success to come on board.
