Emmanuel Ukudolo
December 17, 2015 – Top rated artistes like Dr. SID, 9ice, Olamide and a host of others shortlisted for the One Lagos Fiesta were paraded on Tuesday at Freedom Park as part of activities to formerly launch the fiesta.
Those in attendance, comprising Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Folarin Coker and his colleague in Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, an accomplished editor and expert in arts and culture had a nice time.
9nice was rave of the moment when he stormed the stage to perform some of his hit tracks, ‘Gongo Aso’ with the lyrics sweet credulity and most reliable, which he actually used to lunch himself into stardom. It was carnival of a sort as many in the audience took to the floor to rock it with the star.
But it was not just music, there was enough to eat and drink. There couldn’t have been a better way to launch the One Lagos Fiesta, which appears to be new in concept but actually a modernisation and decentralisation of the Lagos Countdown.
Unlike the Lagos Countdown climaxed with the crossover gig and fireworks usually centralised at the Lagos Bar Beach, the One Lagos Fiesta will take place in five locations simultaneously, featuring 50 crowd pulling artistes, beginning December 27, which will climax with the crossover show.
Speaking at the event, Coker said the fiesta is a celebration of unity, adding that for the first time Lagos State Government holding the fiesta in five locations simultaneously to bring the fun closer to the people hence the need to decentralise the fiesta.
He assured Lagosians that their security is assured with the huge investment that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has made in equipping the Lagos State Police command via its crime fighting outfit, Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture described the One Lagos Fiesta as an attempt to rebrand the State as the Entertainment centre of Africa.
Explaining further, Mr. Coker said that the cross-over party would be held simultaneously at Agege Stadium for the Ikeja Division, Badagry Stadium, Ikorodu Town Hall, the Bar Beach on the Island and the Epe Youth Centre, while all the members representing Lagos at the Senate and the House of Assembly as well as the Lagos State Executive members would participate in the One Lagos Fiesta in their different localities.
He reiterated that the event which is aimed at turning the entire state into one community would spill over into the year in support of arts and culture.
Representatives od brands sponsoring the fiesta from Mikano, Glow, Pepsi and the rest said they keyed into the programme to celebrate entertainment and get across to over 20 million residents Lagos.
