By Eric Elezuo                                                       Photos: Ken Ehimen

The yearly mother of all shows initiated by the Lagos State government, One Lagos Fiesta, is set to kick off on December 24 with the theme: A December to Remember, A Celebration of the People.

This was made know during a press briefing addressed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Arts and Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos Secretariat, Alausa.

Flanked by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kehinde Bamgbetan, Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Tourism, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, expected artistes at the events and sponsors, Mr. Ayorinde explained that as usual, the event will run for eight days beginning from December 24 and terminate at the wee hours of January 1, 2019, noting also that it will be held simultaneously in five different locations of Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Epe, Agege and Badagry. The grand finale however, will take place at the Eko Atlantic City with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in attendance.

In his speech, Ayorinde informed that the Lagos Island event will take place at the Bar Beach on the opening day, and the Atlantic City on the closing day while it will hold at the Ikorodu Town Hall for the Ikorodu centre.

Artists at the briefing

In Epe, the fiesta will hold at Epe Water Front just as it will take place at the Badagry Grammar School for the Badagry centre. In the same vein, residents of Agege will be entertained at the Agege Stadium, which road the Commissioner for Information promised will be in usable condition during the period.

Among the special programmes lined up for the period, according to Mr. Ayorinde, are children’s corner which takes place between 12 noon and 6 pm each day of the fiesta. There will also be cultural performances featuring indigenous dance groups and more as well as stage plays and performances.

Also featuring like in previous editions is the Lagos Talent Growth competition which produces a winner that will be nurtured. The audition for the event will take place between December 17 and 19 across the various centres.

Chief Diana Cheng of CIG Motors

The major highlight of this year’s show, according to the honorable commissioner is the raffle draw where a brand new salon car donated by CIG Motors will be won.

Mr. Ayorinde observed that to qualify to participate, one has be a resident of Lagos; be 18 years and above and have a valid permanent voter card (PVC). This, he said is to ascertain that one is actually a resident of Lagos State because it contains every single detail of residency, prove his adult status and political awareness.

Participants are thereby advised to log on to One Lagos Fiesta website to register and upload their PVCs.

The international event, which is expected attract over two million persons to the centres and 90 million others watching via transmissions and online, has become a “springboard to drive investment and market Lagos potentials, economic development and empower people,” noted Mr. Ayorinde.

In their remarks, the artists present and sponsors promised none stop entertainment and hitch free activities.

Some of the artists that graced the occasion include Blackky, Saheed Osupa, Humblesmith, Mr. Ray, Adewale Ayuba, Mr. P of the defunct PSquare, Teni among others.

The Nigeria Breweries Limited, who is the major sponsor, was represented by the Head of Media, Wasiu Abiola; General Manager, Mr. Onyebuchi Iwuagwu; Sandra Amakri and Abayomi Abidapo. On the other hand, Chief Diana Cheng, stood in for CIG Motors.

In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Giwanson showered praises on the sponsors for their steadfastness, the artists for making out time to identify with the project and the media for ‘always being there’. She specially thanked CIG motors for the raffle draw prize.