FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
The citizens of Lagos and their loved ones from outside Lagos are billed to be treated to 50 days of unlimited fun from April 8, 2017 as the celebration of Lagos’ birthday reaches its climax. The celebration which began last year with the Lagos State government hosting a major event on the 27th of every month, will reach a crescendo on May 27, the day Lagos State was created in 1967.
Speaking on Monday at a world press conference held at the state house banquet hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, Steve Ayorinde, commissioner for information and strategy, Lagos State, said there will be an event on a daily basis from April 8th till May 27th.
“March 27 is important to us,” he explained while giving a welcome address, “we have been at this celebration about a year ago. The theme has been that every 27th of every month there must be something to mark the anniversary. Monday, 27th of March will be last of the many 27ths that began last year. From next week, it will be a roller coaster of events. It will be a busy two months to show that Lagos means business and it has an artistic soul.”
Habib Fashinro, who is co-chairing the Lagos At 50 committee with Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, said Lagos State government is not limiting the celebration to the day the state was created.
“Through the celebration, Lagos is showing its diversity and existing initiatives,” he explained. “It will also help us identify and celebrate our icons and businesses. The key thing is celebrating our cultural heritage. “
According to him, the 50-days of activities will kick off with the staging of ‘Wakaa’, a musical produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters at Terra Kulture Arena on April 8 followed by other activities like Boat Regatta on Lagos Island, Epe; Runway Meet Jazz, a combination of fashion and Jazz to celebrate some of the finest fashion designs from Lagos and Jazz music. Other activities include celebration of Workers’ Day at Agege Stadium; social clubs like Lagos Tennis Club, Ikoyi Club will pick a theme and organise an activity around it to celebrate Lagos. Also, like it did at Toronto Film Festival last year, Lagos will also be at Cannes Film Festival in France to show some of the finest films about Lagos.
Full list of activities is available on the website lagosat50.org.ng