Rolling out the drums for Lagos @ 50

The flurry of activities marking the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Lagos State has, no doubt, been breathtaking. Since March 2016, when the Lagos State Government inaugurated a 10-man Planning Committee under the chairmanship of Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka to drive the event, a number of colloquiums have been held to highlight Lagos’ culture, tradition, history, economy, governance among others.

In line with the Akinwunmi Ambode administration’s all inclusive policy, all divisions of the state, namely Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe were specially focused on and appropriately celebrated. Each had a whole month dedicated to it with a view to highlighting their diverse socioeconomic and cultural landmarks.

Similarly, documentaries stressing the Lagos success stories of 50 prominent personalities were produced and aired. The goal is to emphasize Lagos as a land of opportunities where hardworking and talented folks, irrespective of tribal, religion, ethnic and social -economic status could achieve their life’s aspirations and dreams. Among personalities whose Lagos’ narratives have either been aired or are to be aired are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Femi Okunni, Professor Pat Utomi, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Chief Razak Okoya and a host of others.

The strategy of the Lagos State Government is to creatively deploy several events slated to commemorate the state’s Golden Jubilee anniversary to further promote the culture of hard work and success which are what make Lagos special. Perhaps more importantly is the fact that this is the first time in the history of the country that a government would make concerted, consistent, effective and measured efforts to embark on such sophisticated and impactful year- long anniversary commemoration.

Equally more significant is the fact that the year-long anniversary was tied to a monthly event that representatively revolved round the 27th of every month since May last year. For instance, the One Lagos brand was launched as the state’s tourism initiative on July 27, last year; a ‘Love Lagos Weekend’ Town Hall meeting was held in London on August 27, last year while a Lagos Corner was set up at the renowned Nottinghill Carnival last year. It is also quite significant to stress that Lagos was fêted at the exalted Toronto International Film Festival with eight films in September last year, thus becoming the first African city to be so acknowledged.

The events from April 8 to May 27 have been carefully designed to essentially climax the Golden Jubilee celebration. Highlights of these events include theatre shows such as WAKAA produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters, KAKADU and FELA: The Broadway Musical. These therater events ran all through the Easter weekend at Eko Hotel while a comedy show tagged: LAGOS LAUGHS came up on May 7th where 50 of the most exceptional stand-up comedians in the country performed. The event coincidentally took place on World Laughter Day.

Prior to this, a colouful and spectacular Boat Regatta which evidently highlighted the aquatic splendour of Lagos State had taken place in Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island simultaneously. On the long run, the Boat Regatta would form part of the holistic plan the State Government to promote and sustain tourism in the state.

Without a doubt, the Golden Jubilee anniversary is a landmark in the annals of the State. It offers the opportunity to document and capture for posterity, in various forms, different aspects of the history and progress of the state as well as the contributions of its icons and architects. Being the nation’s acclaimed “Center of Excellence”, Lagos State has indeed lived up to its billing considering the diverse activities that have been put together to make the Golden Jubilee anniversary a memorable event.

Certainly, Lagos has good reasons to roll out the drums at 50. It has enjoyed and sustained an enduring political and impressive socio-economic culture. It remains the melting point of Nigeria as well as the economic and commercial hot spot of West Africa.

Tayo Ogunbiyi, Ikeja, Lagos.