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.

Lagos Teachers Explore Badagry Tourism Potentials

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The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Titilayo Margaret Solarin has averred that those in the teaching profession deserve a step higher than their students in terms of exposure, adding that it was impossible for teachers to give what they do not have to pupils.

Solarin stated this when she led the staff of Government Junior College Agege, on a "Mid-Term Excursion/Retreat Programme" in Badagry town recently, pointing out that the choice of Badagry was because of its rich historical background and tourism potentials that serve as point of references to teachers during some of their interactions with students.

She described the idea of the retreat as a very laudable one, noting that it is important to be sensitive to the social and relaxation needs of staff in order to ensure that they continue to give their best to their students.

The Tutor-General expressed the hope that by the time the teachers return to school, they would have been better refreshed to give their best for the benefit of the students as well as the school as a whole.

Explaining that it was imperative for the teachers to keep abreast of developments around them and most importantly be familiar with some historical sites in the State, Solarin maintained that such knowledge would make teachers easily transfer their experiences of the monuments when teaching their students.

She commended the Principal of Agege Junior Government College for pioneering the initiative, describing the idea as highly remarkable and worthy of emulation by other Principals within the District and the State at large.

On her part, the Principal of Government Junior College Agege, Mrs. Bolanle Olusola Alamu, explained that the excursion and retreat were conceived as a noble idea to motivate teachers.

According to her, "we are just making efforts to key into the various creative and innovative reforms in the State's education sector, especially the call by the State Government to fashion new approaches to learning for better service delivery and results in our schools.

 "My intention for organising this retreat was to further solidify the interest and confidence of the teachers in the teaching profession so that they can continue to give their best to the service. I believe that what is good for other professionals is also ideal for teachers" she asserted.

Mrs. Alamu expressed the hope that the teachers would, henceforth, approach their jobs with much passion and vigour going forward, saying that the presence of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of the District was a morale booster and source of encouragement to the participants.

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#ForAGreaterLagos

AMBODE HOSTS 11-YEAR-OLD HYPERREALIST ARTIST, PROMISES HIM EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday hosted an 11-year-old hyperrealist artist, Kareem Waris Olamilekan who drew a stunning portrait of French President, Emmanuel Macron in just two hours on the spot during the President’s visit to the new Afrika Shrine in Lagos.

Governor Ambode, who hosted the artist alongside his parents, teachers and instructor, promised to give him educational support, as well as help to nurture his talent to become a great artist later in life.

The Governor also pledged to support Waris’ instructor, Adeniyi Adewole Wasiu, who is said to have an Arts Academy, Ayowole Academy of Arts, where he trains young artists.

Briefing journalists after the Governor hosted the artist at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde said the development was basically to appreciate and encourage the young hyperrealist and as well to assure him of the readiness of the State Government to give him the needed support.

According to Ayorinde, “You would recall that Waris was one of the star attractions during President Macron’s visit to Afrika Shrine. Before painting the President and presenting the portrait to him, Waris had become a household name thanks to the special story done by a media house.

“So, the Governor has invited him and his parents to come and meet him and because the Governor is interested in his education and if you like the welfare of his parents, His Excellency has promised to assist just like he did to the Footprint of David boys who had a special performance at the State House during the Children’s Day.

“So, the Governor is interested in his school. We are happy that Waris is a product of a public school and you could see that the Principal of his school is here and she is happy. The Governor has also acknowledged the contribution of Waris’ mentor, Adewole who is here and because he also has a Arts Academy that inspired and produced Waris, His Excellency the Governor thinks that that Arts Academy should flourish and he is going to also support him, his career and what he is doing,” Ayorinde said.

The Commissioner added that since the works of the young artist became public knowledge, the State Government had taken special interest in his case, saying that the objective of government was to ensure good education and training for Waris to become a great artist later in life.

“The Ministry of education has been involved from day one since the story was reported but our Ministry (Tourism, Arts and Culture) would also be monitoring Waris. He is already in JSS1; he is talented as an artist but then that is not the only subject that he would be taking.

“We want him to be a successful well-rounded student first and foremost and of course as an artist. It is a long haul thing but first good education and let him continue as a good artist,” the Commissioner said. 

Responding, Waris said he was extremely thrilled to meet with President Macron and Governor Ambode, saying the development was a life-changing moment for him.

“I am very happy and excited. I thank Governor Ambode for this opportunity. Now, I want to study my arts very well; I want to be a good artist, great artist in the world,” Waris said.

Also speaking, Waris’ parents, Mr and Mrs Mutiu Kareem said the feat attained by their son was a significant turning point in their lives, and thanked the State Government for the huge support they have so far received.

“I thank God for this. What has happened in my life through my son is something I never thought would happen to me but this is a miracle. I am so happy. I want to thank Governor Ambode for all he has done for us and also my son’s instructor who trained him, as well as his teachers and mother,” Kareem said.

Lagos Lines Up 100 Artiste For 2017 One Lagos Fiesta

…Olamide, Davido, KSA, Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Others To Perform

...To be the biggest and the largest celebration in Nigeria

The Lagos State Government on Friday disclosed that over 100 artistes cutting across all genres would be performing at this year’s One Lagos Fiesta, its flagship yuletide revue scheduled to hold from December 24 till early hours of January 1, 2018.

Addressing journalists at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, said the eight days non-stop Fiesta, which would hold in five different designated centres in Lagos simultaneously for eight days non-stop would consolidate on the success achieved last year.

She said this year’s edition would feature several A-list artistes, while several upcoming artists, dance group and cultural performances will combine to perform and thrill over 10 million Lagosians on daily basis for eight days.

Giwanson listed some of the A-list artists lined up for the Fiesta to include Olamide, Davido, King Sunny Ade, Adewale Ayuba, Salawa Abeni, Humble Smith, Small Doctor, Ras Kimono, Pasuma, Osupa, among others.

She said in line with the tradition, the event would hold across the five zones as it held last year including Ikeja (Agege Stadium), Badagry (Badagry Grammar School), Ikorodu (Ikorodu Town Hall), Lagos Island (Bar Beach) and Epe (Epe-Marina Beachfront), while the cross over night of December 31st into the New Year will hold at Eko Atlantic City.

“Tagged See, Feel and Explore Lagos, Lagos State Government with 2017 One Lagos Fiesta will round off and bid 2017 which has been a remarkable year of achievement farewell while a New Year is ushered in with arguably the biggest and the largest celebration in Nigeria with a record of 10million people in attendance”, Mrs Giwanson said.

The OLF, she said was specially designed to turn the five divisions of Lagos into a tourist destination for 8 days non-stop showcasing not less than 40 concerts all together across the city of Lagos while developing the local economy of these areas thereby making it self-sustaining during the festive period and after.

Lagos represent a diverse tribes and cultures of Nigeria with differences that typifies the philosophy behind the OLF which is the reason the administration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode to position itself for project T.H.E.S.E. Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment, Sports for Excellence to drive and harness tourism in Lagos State.

The Special Adviser added that the same template, content and performance for all the venues as obtained in the previous edition would be maintained with little addition to give this year’s event a better edge, while noting that the only addition will be a new program titled Temitiyin.

“Temitiyin is a program conceived to recognize, promote appreciate acts of kindness by Lagosian and so individual from all divisions of the State who have displayed random acts of kindness to their communities will be shortlisted and one person per division will be honoured as winners.

“Our talent hunt program will also be slightly adjusted to discover, celebrate and reward youths in the State in the areas of dance, music, comedy, and other creative exploit with auditioning to start Tuesday 19th December to Thursday 21 December in all five divisions of the State and two qualified finalist from all the designated divisions will compete at the OLF with winners carting away between 150,000 and 50,000.”, Giwanson said.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde assured that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure safety of lives and property throughout the course of the fiesta.

Investors, private sector back Ambode’s tourism initiatives

AgegePulse Magazine

…As sponsors queue up for One Lagos Fiesta

The drive by the Lagos State Government to create a private sector driven tourism economy has earned the full confidence of multinational companies, notable entrepreneurs’ business owners and managers alike across the State.

This was the general consensus at a stakeholders review meeting held with sponsors of the Lagos Street Carnival and the forthcoming end of year eight days One Lagos Fiesta programme to be held across the five divisions of the State.

According to a statement by Mr. Fola Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Street Carnival was organized by Heat Limited in conjunction with the Ministry as a private sector driven programme of the State.

He disclosed that sponsors and investors are already lining up for the One Lagos Fiesta including, Guaranty Trust Bank, GLOBACOM, Nigeria Breweries Ltd, Pepsi Nigerian Plc, Access Bank, Dangote Nig. Plc, Multi choice, JMG Generators, Eko Atlantic City, Eko Hotels, South Energy X, among others.

Adeyemi said that aside the fact that the carnival was a private driven initiative and only backed with institutional support by the State Government, the private sector equally provided funds and support to ensure the success of the programme.

He said the quantum of tourism events in the State has taken an upward leap since 2015 with the emergence of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode Administration and the state policy of project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sport for Excellence.

He recalled that expansion of the former Lagos Countdown event into One Lagos Fiesta, a multi-location event with simultaneous concerts across the five administrative divisions of the state and the huge success recorded, till date has further proven to the private sector that Governor Ambode’s statement that the creative industry hold the key to a booming economy in Lagos was fast becoming a reality.

“The vision of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to create a platform to support the creative industry has exposed the tourism potentials of the state with a multiplier effect across various sectors of the state economy.

“Smart business owners and investors found it difficult to close their eyes to such monumental business benefits. Lagos State has evolved as the tourism and entertainment hub of the country in the last two years with an average of over 12 crowd pulling tourism, entertainment and sports event in a year,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Adeyemi said that the organized private sector has now taken the marketing advantage derivable in supporting Lagos State tourism initiatives, because of the numerous opportunities available and transparency of Government in managing the funds.

“The overall effect of all this is that it has led to resultant growth in the local economy of the five divisions that serves as the venues of the OLF, increased job creation opportunities, innovations and boost in consumer product sales not only around the event venues but all over the state,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Lagos to shut down Oba Akran Avenue Ikeja for carnival

Olamide, Lil Kesh, Small Doctor, Queen Salawa Abeni, Malaika and Tope Sax amongst others to entertain guests

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The Lagos State Government on Sunday said plans have been concluded to stage this year's edition of the Lagos Street Carnival scheduled to hold on December 3 along Oba Akran Avenue in Ikeja.The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, in an interview with newsmen, said the venue of the carnival would be shut down but adequate preparations have been made for alternative routes to mitigate the impact of the road closure on motorists and residents.Dubbed, “Lagos Street Party’’ in its maiden edition last year, the event has grown into a carnival to mark the start of the end of the year activities, celebrate the multi-cultural nature of Lagosians and reposition the State as a formidable cultural destination.

Speaking on security arrangements already put in place, Akinsola said, "We like to assure Lagosians and visitors that efforts are in place to ensure that the venue and environs are safe and incident-free”.“We expect more visitors this year and a lot more will be coming.

 In terms of security and crowd control, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is not working alone. We are working with the police, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Fire service, LASAMBUS and the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA). All of them are onboard and people are not going to see Oba Akran on Monday in a dirty state,” Akinsola said.

She expressed optimism that the event will witness an overflow of people of diverse cultures from all over the State engaged in merrymaking to usher in the Yuletide season.

"That was how it was done on the Island and this year we are bringing it to the mainland and of course next year, we would be looking at another location because the aim of government is to take this carnival all around Lagos,” she added.

She reiterated that through project T.H.E.S.E which stands for Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Arts and Sports to achieve Excellence, the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is committed to repositioning

the State and ensure excellence in the true sense of the word. While urging everyone to participate and enjoy the entertaining activities lined up for the carnival, the Special Adviser said: "the carnival is not only just for adults alone, the children will have their own corner where they can have fun.”  The carnival which has a line-up of artists including Olamide, Lil Kesh, Queen Salawa Abeni, Malaika and Tope Sax amongst others will start from noon until midnight on Sunday.

Gov. Ambode Unveils Three Executive Boats, Four Jet Skis -AgegePulse

... Targets 2million passengers on water daily

...We‘ll Explore Tourism, Economic Potential Of Waterways, Says Ambode

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday inaugurated three newly acquired executive boats by the State Government, with a pledge to fully explore the tourism and economic potentials of the waterways in the State for the overall benefit of the people.

Speaking at the unveiling of the boats held at Caverton Jetty in Civic Centre area of Victoria Island, the Governor said the State Government was committed to the implementation of the integrated transport management system designed to scale up water, rail and land transportation, saying that the grand plan is to divert at least two million passengers on the waterways daily thereby reducing traffic on the road.

He said the boats and four Jet Skis recently acquired by the State Government to ensure safety and fight crime on the waterways were prelude to major plans to fully activate the potentials of water transportation, while in coming months, the State Government would take delivery of additional seven commercial ferries, among other plans for the sector.

According to him, “This is a significant day for Lagos State as we commission three boats belonging to the Lagos State Government. We discovered that sometimes, we do not have the ability for our officials to go on the waterways to address issues relating to people and citizens that live alongside the waterways.

“As you aware, twenty-five per cent of Lagos is water and it is important that we put in the right initiatives that can actually make activities on our waterways to thrive and the also people living along the waterways to bring them into proper perspective.

“Sometimes when dignitaries come from other States or countries, they are not able to see the true side of Lagos from waterways perspective and that is one of the reasons the State Government decided that we would procure the boats that would help us to promote tourism in the State so that people can see the great potentials of Lagos State,” he said.

Governor Ambode said as much was ongoing on road rehabilitation and construction, as well as the rail system, the water sector was also experiencing specific initiatives such as construction of terminals, channelization, construction of walkways, among others to encourage more people to key into the sector.

He said: “As people are well aware, we are committed to the integrated transport management system that we have promised Lagosians. As much as we are doing on the roads, we have decided that we would face the waterways. We have just ordered the procurement of seven ferries; we have also invited people from the private sector to take over terminals and also be able to procure their own boats and ferries.

“We are so particular about safety; we are so particular about the future of everyone and that is why we decided also that we would do a lot on channelization and dredging on waterways to make it motorable. People will begin to see all these at the end of the first quarter of 2018 and we believe strongly also that both the government boats and the ones from the private sector will start to berth the waterways of Lagos and we will use that to complement what it is that we have on our roads and also use it to complement the future of what we are trying to plan for the rail system.”

He added that over six million people walk every day on Lagos roads and that accounted for why walkways were being constructed across the State, while there are plans to create connectivity between water terminals and the roads, especially in Badore, Ajah, Mile 2, Badagry, Ikorodu and other places where there are terminals.

While stating that the maintenance and sustenance of the boats had been outsourced to specialists to ensure proper usage, Governor Ambode also invited more private sector stakeholders interested to invest in the waterways to partner with the State Government, saying his administration is liberal, transparent and willing to collaborate with interested investors.

In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya said about thirty commercial routes on the State waterways have been identified for dredging and channelization, while ten jetties spread across the State were being constructed, among other ongoing plans for the sector.

He also said that the Ministry was working in concert with the Ministry of Justice to enforce relevant laws guiding the waterways to ensure compliance with safety standards and checkmate any illegal activity by operators.

Also speaking on safety plans for the waterways, General Manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Tiamiyu Adeshina said the Jet Skis would be deployed across the State to aid rescue operation in case of emergency, and also help to fight crime.

“Each of the Jet Skis has the capacity to carry two divers and the idea behind this is that when an incident occurred on the water, there is a Jet Ski that will move divers fast to the incident scene while the rescue boats are coming behind and when they get there, divers are dropping into the waters and as soon as they rescue people, we put them into the rescue boat and take them to hospital,” Adeshina said, just as he revealed  that training to that effect was already ongoing.

Also, the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, said the commissioning was the beginning of sustainable development for the waterways, adding that apart from efforts by the agency to enforce safety standards, the State Government has concluded plans to license 10 new operators who would provide better ferries.

The Governor also inspected ongoing projects on the waterways especially at Orange Island and Lekki Foreshore areas of the State.