Lagos to boost Tourism, Nigeria's Cultural Heritage Through 'AfroPolis' Lagos2024

AgegePulse Magazine

Yomi Durojaye 

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art & Culture is set to host an indigenous 9days Art & Cultural event that would boost the Nigeria's rich Cultural Heritage through a tourist attractive Pan-African Festival, ‘Afropolis’, holding in Lagos by October.

Hon. Commissioner, Mrs. Toke-Benson, AfroPolis Convener, Mr. Qudus Onikeku & SA to the Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Idris Aregbe 

Speaking at the Event's Town Hall Meeting, held yesterday at the J Randle Museum, Onikan, Lagos, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture,  Hon. Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said AfroPolis was an initiative to  promote black cultural heritage, creativity and innovation that will boost tourism in the state and country at large.

She said the 9-day none stop event would foster collaboration, inspire innovation, celebrate the diverse traditions and creativity of rich Yoruba and Africa culture embedded with modern days technology as well as boost tourism in Nigeria starting from  October. 26 to November 3,  2024.

Benson-Awoyinka said the festival was a platform for African creatives to come together to showcase their talents, exchange ideas and collaborate on groundbreaking projects as well as create truly unique things.

“Afropolis is not just an event but a celebration of our rich cultural heritage, creativity, and innovation of Lagos state.

“Lagos, as the host city, is proud to be at the forefront of this cultural revolution. Our city is renowned as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world, and we continue to lead in various creative sectors such as music, fashion, gaming, tech, design, film, dance, AI, and research.

“Our young talents are making significant strides on the global stage, and events like Afropolis provide them with the visibility and opportunities they deserve.

“The essence of Afropolis lies in its ability to bring together a diverse array of creative minds.

“Imagine the vibrant fusion of traditional and modern expressions that will be on display, from indigenous crafts to cutting-edge digital art,” she said.

In an Opening Remarks, the founder & Convener, Afropolis Lagos2024, Mr. Qudus Onikeku, said the dream has been long and kick-starting it will be a dream come true.

The event according to him will include creative of different genre coming together to showcase their arts and creativity, exhibitions, open spoken poetry, music, dance, stage drama and many more.

SA to the Governor on Tourism, Alhaji Idris Aregbe, Managing Director of the National Theater,Tola Akerele, the German Consul General, Weert Borner; India Consul General, Chandramaoni Kumarkern; the Consul General of the Netherland amongst top dignitaries that graced the occasion.

#GREATERLAGOS FIESTA: Agege, Badagry, Ikorodu, Others To Host Fun Seekers As LASG Reveals Plans

AgegePulse Magazine 

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.

2nd Left: Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka addressing the press

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 that 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”, she added.

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 state, the Commissioner maintained that the event is beyond just 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”, her words.

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.

Toke Benson-Awoyinka also revealed that interested corporate sponsors ready to collaborate with the State Government to make the event a success are welcome.

#GreaterLagosFiesta

#entertainmentandtourism 

#AGreaterLagosRising 

#LASG

Lagos: SA Housing Hon. Toke Benson Revalidates Her Membership In APC | AgegePulse Magazine

 

...Encourages members to partake in the exercise,  

...Urges more people to join the ruling party

SA Toke-Benson

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, revalidated her membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday at ward 'F' ikeja Federal Constituency.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, she encouraged party faithfuls to come out en mass and revalidate their membership while also encouraging well meaning Nigerians to join the Party. She reiterated that's the only way to know who are the real and true party members. she also said the exercise  should be taken seriously as it will give people the opportunity to know each other and know their leaders in each Ward and Constituency.

(M) SA, Toke-Benson 

While advocating for inclusive and good governance, Toke Benson Awoyinka also urged the youths to come out and register with the the ruling party as that is the only way to participate in the electoral process for any political office and seek redress from the self centered politicians we have in the system now. 

Speaking further, Toke Benson said for you to be elected to any political office you must first be a member of a political party, not just any political party but a party that has the interest of the masses and a party that is ready to serve those that voted for them.

As political office holders, we are called to serve but without a formidable party like APC people like us won't be in the office that we are today. As you can see today that Lagos is a success story under APC and our able governor Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, therefore I plead with you all to come out and join our great party she said.