The government also assured participants of watertight security at the designated venues for the Lagos Countdown 2024 Greater Lagos Fiesta.
The state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this at a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, on Friday.
The commissioner, flanked by the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Idris Aregbe, and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Oloruntoyin Atekoja, said the state had put in place security measures that would prevent any form of violence during the three-day fiesta.
Benson-Awoyinka 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, LASTMA, and Neighbourhood Watch, among other security operators in the state. We are making sure that the entire space is secure, and we are ensuring that our children are well taken care of and secure as well.
“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 fiesta 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.”
“As a matter of fact, the Lagos Countdown #Greater Lagos Fiesta has been serving 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.
“The three-day event, apart from showcasing the cultural activities and nurturing up-coming talented youngsters in the entertainment and creative industry, the entertainment show will also positively impact the state’s economy through massive sales of goods and services to thousands of fun and entertainment lovers throughout the duration of the event,” she added.
The commissioner further noted that this year’s edition of the fiesta will feature fireworks, live music concerts, comedy, and cultural performances “across the five IBILE divisions of the state, namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe.”
She added, “The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is going to be a fantastic way to bid farewell to the year 2023 and welcome the new one, year 2024, with a bang. 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.”
