The Lagos State government says plans are underway to organise a mega Arts and Craft exhibition that will empower and boost youth employment in Y2022.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, disclosed this recently at a press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, noting that the mandate of the Ministry encapsulates Tourism, Arts and Culture and it remains committed to achieving the tripartite responsibility assigned, with numerous activities that run throughout the year.

She explained that a number of Arts and Cultural events have been executed by the Ministry, as well as in partnership with private stakeholders, to enhance the State’s rich heritage.

“The Arts and Culture exhibition that we are planning in the next quarter is going to be a very big one; this is where we will be promoting people in the Arts and Craft sector to ensure that we expose them to business and markets. On cultural and traditional activities, we have been supportive as well. We have partnered with the private sector to activate different traditional festivals and we will continue in that direction in the coming year”, Akinbile-Yussuf said.

Speaking on the efforts by the State to enhance local tourism development, the Commissioner mentioned that it has already started implementing the Community Based Tourism (CBT) plans, urging residents of various communities across the State to be more receptive to tourists and also strive to create a positive impression about the State at all times.

“With this effort, we have been able to identify different tourism potentials in some locations and we are going to collaborate with the Local Government Administrators as well as Community Development Associations and ensure that other relevant individuals and groups in the area key into the vision”, Akinbile-Yussuf said.

She encouraged unemployed youths in Lagos to take advantage of opportunities available in the sector, noting that arts and craft, especially the production of items of cultural and aesthetic values, can be purchased as souvenirs by continental and international tourists coming into Lagos.

Akinbile-Yussuf affirmed that there is now peace in Lagos State, which could attract more people to visit and create job opportunities, adding that residents need to present the country in good light and be more receptive to visitors.

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has reiterated the commitment of the present administration to harnessing the rich tourism and cultural heritage of the State for both local and international tourists.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf disclosed this, on Tuesday, during an interactive session to highlight activities of the Ministry such as the commissioning of the Glover Memorial Hall; the unveiling of the tourism master plan, ongoing remodelling of the JK Randle Yoruba Centre and Community Based Tourism (CBT), among others.

Speaking on the State’s tourism master plan, Akinbile-Yussuf disclosed that the policy was developed with the consent of relevant stakeholders in the tourism industry, noting that it was reviewed to reflect the policy thrust and plans of the present administration for the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, especially in the COVID-19 era.

She stated that the document will guide the execution and implementation of short, medium and long-term plans in different areas of tourism activities in alignment with the vision to revamp the sector.

On Community Based Tourism (CBT), the Commissioner noted that the idea behind CBT was to enable the exploration, access and development of tourism potentials such as Unique Cultural Practices, Tradition and Heritage within the Local Community.

Akinbile-Yussuf said: “The pilot scheme of community-based tourism has already kicked off in six local governments across all the five divisions of the State. The essence is to sensitise the local communities of the critical tourism assets and how to harness them as well as the train tour guides and operators”.

The Commissioner pointed out that the training of tour guides is one of the many avenues of job creation for the teeming youth population in the State and disclosed that plans are underway to host one of the biggest arts and craft exhibitions that will expose participants to international markets.

Assuring tourists of security while visiting Lagos, Akinbile-Yussuf said adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property, just as she sought for partnership with private organisations to host events.

She lamented the disruption to the tourism calendar of the State due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the instance of the Greater Lagos Fiesta that was recently suspended due to the warning of an imminent fourth wave of the pandemic.

“The strategic intent of the State Government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State by putting money in the hands of our people, through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta. But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations”, she said.

She, however, counselled event organisers and owners of event centres in the State with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the Ministry of Health, and enforce strict adherence to all COVID-19 safety protocols.

•••Lagos To Have 31 Days of Massive Entertainment Experience – Commissioner

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged corporate organisations and Lagosians to partner with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta holding in December.

He said the partnership between government, corporate organisations and individuals will boost the State’s economy and generate incomes for organisations that key into the Greater Lagos Fiesta.

Speaking at the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta Activation Ceremony at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island on Friday, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said government cannot do it alone, therefore, the State needs partnership with organisations and individuals for growth and development of tourism, arts and culture sectors.

He said Lagos State is working hard to vaccinate four million people before December and therefore urged people to visit government accredited centers to receive COVID-19 jab, which has already been provided by the Federal Government.

In his address, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the Greater Lagos Fiesta which had passed through different stages and nomenclature since its inception years back serves as the end of the year entertainment event that most Lagosians, Nigerians and the entire world look up to as the year comes to a close.

The Commissioner said her ministry is working with Ministry of Health and Lagos Safety Commission to ensure that all health and safety protocols are put in place during the fiesta and therefore appealed to the public to take their COVID-19 vaccination as the Ministry will only allow vaccinated persons into the venue of Greater Lagos Fiesta events.

She said: “With this year’s theme of the Greater Lagos Fiesta tagged ‘Lagos Rocks’, Lagos State Government will be hosting a 31-Day massive experience of entertainment, awe and inspiration, the likes of which has never been seen before in Nigeria from 1st December 2021 till the end.

“The State Government will be using the Greater Lagos Fiesta to further transform Lagos into a major African tourism and entertainment hub by exploring and promoting the potentials that abound in the State, as well as integrating the thriving Entertainment and Arts industry as a viable platform to attract visitors and create job opportunities.”

The Commissioner urged private organisations and individuals to take advantage of the ample opportunity of the Greater Lagos Fiesta and key into the 31-day calendar event.

According to her, some of the programmes highlighted for the Greater Lagos Fiesta are cultural performances and opening concert, cycling competition, fashion show, food festival and opening ceremony of Souk Village, Lagos Marina Day and Greater Lagos Concert – five days back to back concert in all the five divisions of the State.

She said arrays of A Artistes, Music Icons, Artistes, best of Comedy, DJs, Dance Performance, Talent Hunt, among others would participate during the concert to further demonstrate that Lagos is the centre of entertainment in Africa and ‘Lagos truly Rocks’

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu, said the Greater Lagos Fiesta is a reflection of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s love for tourism, arts and culture in Lagos State.

He said the fiesta will pay attention to indigenous culture and give it a prime place in the Greater Lagos Fiesta, adding that the fiesta will attract more visitors to Lagos.

The Managing Director/Chief Strategist, Chain Reactions, Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi, said the Greater Lagos Fiesta over the years served as the unifying platform to promote entertainment, commerce, arts and culture among the people of Lagos State.

As part of efforts to boost tourism and increase patronage of tourism destinations in the state, the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has entered into a Strategic Partnership with Ajala.ng, one of Nigeria’s foremost travel and tourism management companies.

Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Tourism Ministry in Alausa, The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, stated that the strategic partnership will assist in domesticating tourism by showcasing the many tourist destinations abound in the state.

“This partnership with a reputable and foremost travel management company like ajala.ng will help open up the many tourist destinations in the state and create easy access via the waterways” he stated.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun explained that the partnership will not only promote local tourism but also create the much needed awareness to commuting by the waterways and improve water transportation business.

While calling on more private sector participation and partnership to boost Water Transportation and Tourism, Balogun stated that government massive investment in water transportation is yielding positive results through the collaboration such as this with the private sector.

“we as an agency will support Ajala.ng in their quest to promote local tourism in Lagos State, I implore more Private business owners to invest in water transportation as this is the next frontier for Lagos Economy”.

The Chief Operating Officer, Ajala.ng (the online subsidiary of Quantum Travels Limited), Mrs. Babayemi Olamide while expressing delight at the signing of the agreement stated that it is designed to promote local tourism, showcase the tourist destinations abound in the state and highlights the beauty in water tourism.

“The agreement signed today with our organization and Lagos Ferry Services is to promote local tourism since it has been difficult for tourists to travel round the world since the Covid-19 pandemic, this is the right time and channel to boost Lagos Water Tourism” she stated.

… As ‘A-List’ artistes like K1, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Teni listed for performance

As a way of reviving the entertainment scene in Lagos State while also strategically showcasing the State as the soul of entertainment of Nigeria, the State’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is set to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence with the “Eko on Show” festival slated for Friday, 15th October 2021 at Muri-Okunola Park, Victoria Island.

The festival, according to the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, will feature A-list artists like Davido, Tiwa Savage, Ayra Starr, Teni, D’banj, among others, while veteran musicians like Dede, Kwam 1 and Shina Peters are also billed to perform at the event.

Making this disclosure at a Press Conference on Tuesday, at Muri-Okunola Park, Victoria Island, the Commissioner noted that the festival is in continuation of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary celebration, through music, fashion show, dancing and a display of a tantalising array of food and drinks to entertain Lagosians, Nigerians and the world as a whole.

Akinbile-Yusuff noted that the Ministry is continually seeking better ways to sell the rich potentials of Lagos State to the world as evident in the State’s recent declaration as to the holder of the world’s largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic by the Guinness World Records.

Being the holder of the Guinness World Records in this regard, the Commissioner noted, has put Lagos State on the world stage, especially tourists across the world, who now see what Lagos could offer in terms of breaking new grounds in creativity and innovations.

She said: “This October 15 event is also a way of sending a message to the entire world that Lagos, apart from being a land of creativity and innovations, is also the soul of entertainment, fun and relaxation, rich in culture and hospitality.”

She added that the event was conceptualised based on the need to provide a platform to enhance the State’s competitive positioning as a top 5 tourist destination in Africa; build on the inherent creativity of Lagosians and establish the State as a vibrant and innovative tourism destination that diversifies the economy, creates jobs across multiple tourism segments and offers the world access to the ingenuity and hospitality of the residents.

“Specifically, this event will feature an exceptional experience of good music, fashion, food, and dance Extravaganza and lots more. We will be showcasing most of our local contents at this event”, Akinbile-Yussuf stated.

The Commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to the quick recovery of the entertainment and tourism sector in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S developmental agenda, especially the fifth pillar which stands for Entertainment and Tourism.

She added that: “This administration has committed huge resources to produce filmmakers of international standards, fashion designers of class, musicologists, dancers and lots more professionals in the creative field, saying that the ‘Eko on Show’ event will serve as a platform through which these talented individuals will showcase their creativity”.

The Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, in his remarks, stated that the Ministry realized that the entertainment sector which directly impacts the majority of the youth population, should be made vibrant and active despite the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

He also disclosed that the October 15 date which coincidentally is the celebration week celebration, would provide different avenues of fun for Lagosians, assuring that the State Government has over the years supported the hosting of the annual celebration of Felabration; a festival of music and arts commemorating the life and times of Nigeria’s foremost musical icon, the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

On her part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi informed that the event will be a hybrid version in line with COVID-19 protocols and will be used to further reopen the entertainment sector amidst Covid-19.

She urged interested participants to register ahead to take part in the show and obtain free tickets on https://tix.africa/eko, saying that the tickets available are limited.

The registration, according to her, will enable the State Government to make solid preparations for the event and ensure that the proposed number of participants is controlled and adhered to in line with covid protocols and compliance with the capacity of the event’s venue.

In their separate contributions, Ara the Drummer; Teni, the Entertainer and Dede Mabiaku, a versatile musician applauded the “Eko on Show” initiative and promised the best of entertainment for thousands and millions of fun lovers that would join the show either physically or virtually.

It should be noted that this is the first time that the State Government will be hosting an outdoor entertainment event since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.