By Moshood Adebayo
For many Lagosians, the last Christmas and New Year was a celebration which memories would forever linger. This has made many of the residents, particularly youths to describe it as Xmas like no other in the state.
Thanks to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who rejunivated the “One Lagos Fiesta” and provided necessary financial and moral support despite the recession in the country.
It was a fun-filled eight-day excitment and splendour for Lagosians as artistes of different genre exhibited their talents to the delight of their several fans.
The fiesta which made its debut in 2015 after the Lagos Countdown, but was rechristened, “One Lagos Fiesta” and spread across the five divisions of Lagos, ran daily from 12 midday to 12 midnight, with the first six hours dedicated to entertainment for children.
It was different from the previous edition in many ways. Firstly, the duration of the fiesta was longer. Instead of the five days of the year, Lagosians was treated to an eight-day of fun and camaraderie.
During fiesta, residents and visitors were treated to the best of musical entertainment, cultural displays, comedy and cuisine from the state.
From Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe and Victoria Island, where it climaxed, it was spectscular thrills, of Olamide, Phyno, Adewale Ayuba, Waka Queen Salawa Abeni, Oku Maintain, Arsmide, Sugarboy, Alariwo of Afrika, Tolu Obey, Tony Tetula, renowned disc jockeys and stand-up comedians.
Others include Jazzman Olofin, Mayokun, Idris Abdulkareem, YCee, Guiter Man, Voice Olorun, Rabi Traditional Dance, among others.
Ambode said the One Lagos Fiesta, was a way of creatively engaging the youths to bring out the best in them, saying that the 2016 edition was arranged to be better, bigger and bolder than that of 2015.
The festive moment began with the launch of the “LAKE RICE”, a product of partnership between the Lagos and Kebbi State governemnts.
The partnership, which was timely, was aimed at ensuring food security as well as to showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a producing nation.
The fiesta started on Saturday, December 24. At each venue of the fiesta, Governor Ambode highlighted the programmes of his administration.
While flagging off the fiesta in Agege, on the eve of Christmas, the governor said the Employment Trust Fund (ETF) fiesta was specifically designed to create greater opportunities for the youths to be gainfully engaged and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the state.
He urged youths and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the N25 billion ETF initiative of his administration to grow their businesses and become self reliant.
In Badagry, Ambode announced the readiness of his administration to boost tourism promising that the historic town would witness massive transformation in the new year, starting with the construction of 500-seater Arts Theatre and a Cinema.
“I know that there are lots of youths in Badagry and we have decided that throughout next year, we are coming to do a lot of projects in Badagry that will bring out all the tourism potentials of Badagry.
“To start with, next month, we are coming to construct a 500-seater Arts Theatre and a cinema just opposite the General Hospital. You already see what is going on at the Badagry Marina, it will create a lot of jobs for all of you but more importantly, I want you to take advantage of the Employment Trust Fund (ETF) that we have created. We believe all of us that are out of job for now, we have designed a way that you can have access to the ETF so that you can create jobs among yourselves.”
The governor, who said he had lived in Badagry, said the youths were the future of the state and the country, and as such, must take their education seriously.
At Ikorodu, Ambode offered amnesty to cultists willing to renounce their membership of cult groups and turn a new leaf, just as he urged youths to shun kidnapping, rape and other vices.
His words: “In the last few months, we have been having a lot of challenges with cultism in Ikorodu area and a lot of issues that relate to kidnapping. So, we are going to strike a deal tonight, we are going to say no to cultism and then we are going to encourage all of you.
Anybody who is a cult member, we are going to offer you amnesty. I want to use the whole of 2017 to rehabilitate all those who have been doing bad things; we are going to provide money and we are going to provide jobs.
Epe Recreration Centre played hist to the fiesta with indigines and non indignes trooping out to have fun the way they never did in recent times
The grand finale of the 2016 edition of the festival held at the Bar Beach front in Victoria Island to usher in the New Year, restated his commitment to roll out programmes and policies that will further showcase the progress the state has made so far.
“Our vision remains the same: to create a smart mega city where business and creative opportunity abound; where physical and social amenities are world class; and where lives and property are safe and secured.”
Ambode while alluding to the fact that 2017 is significant as Lagos would mark its 50th Anniversary, said the state is exceptionally blessed with human and capital resources, which he said his administration will continue to explore to make life more comfortable for the people.
He also said that in recognition of the fact that the youth represent the symbol of the State’s verve and vitality, his administration will provided more platforms of opportunities in 2017.
“Let me personally urge you to take advantage of the various events in this year’s tourism calendar to showcase your skills and talent,” he said.
This year’s One Lagos Fiesta featured a talent hunt show christened ‘Lagos Got Talent’, with youths across the five locations showcasing their talents and skills in the areas of dance, rap, comedy and drama.
At the keenly contested finale held at the Bar Beach, Master Ogunlaja Ahmed aka Mr. Dollar from Epe Division emerged the overall winner with Blessing Akiote (Agege) and Flexible Twist emerging second and third respectively.
The winners were presented with mouth watering prizes while they were privileged to take photographs with the governor and top dignitaries including Senator Solomon Olamilekan, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.
Artistes who lit up the state with scintillating performances include King Sunny Ade, Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Adekunle Gold, Dr. SID, Humblesmith, Vector, CDQ, among many others, while fireworks were on display to usher in the New Year.
While expressing the resolve of his administration to use entertainment, arts and sports to promote tourism in the state, the governor assured that his administration will continue to open up the tourism potential of the state with the view to getting the best from the youths.
For many years to come the fiesta will continue to be the talk of the town particularly with with its adequate security measures and emergency medical services that were provided in all the zones which made itma hitch-free musical festival