Kunle Adelabu
After several weeks of intense speculation, the annual State government sponsored musical and entertainment performances, known as One Lagos Fiesta (OLF) under the last administration, has finally kicked off in Ikorodu and five other centres across Lagos State on Christmas day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019, amidst wild jubilation.
This year’s event, which is tagged, ‘Greater Lagos Extravaganza’, is scheduled to host 35 concerts across five venues from Christmas day to December 31 to usher in year 2020 in grandstyle.
The Ikorodu Town hall venue of the event came alive on Christmas day as MC Afo, Deejays Mickey 4 and Chrisland entertained the crowd with rib cracking jokes and great music.
Other venues of the event are Ikeja, Badagry, Lagos Mainland and Epe.
Scores of A-list artistes like Olamide, Naira Marley, Seyi Shay, Zlatan, Fireboy, DJ Spinall and are expected to entertain fun seekers at the five centres during the seven-day long music extravaganza.
Also billed to perform across the five centres are Small Doctor, Idowu West, Dotman, Remiscent, Skiibii and Airboy.
Like previous editions, the concert is scheduled to usher Lagosians into year 2020. The show will start by 4pm every day at the five centres and end after midnight, while the grand finale on December 31 will start by 12 noon into the new year.
While the Day I and Day 2 of the event were awesome, the Day 3 is expected to be bigger as fun seekers and music lovers are expected to be treated to great musical experience by notable artistes across the five centres.
Talent hunt in musical performances, comedy and dance highlighted the Day 2 activities with the crowd deciding the winners in each category.
Unlike the previous editions, the Ikorodu Town hall Gate I at Olubi Street has been restricted for the general public while the Gate 2 which overlooks Owolowo Road now serves as the main entrance for participants into the venue.
Aside the heavy presence of security personnel (men of the Nigerian army, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps, Onyabo Vigilance Group among others) , there are also fire service and LASAMBUS personnel and equipment on ground to provide emergency services.
Major brands that are partnering the Lagos State Government to make this year’s event a,huge success, such as Guinness, Airtel, Monster and Lontor, have also taken strategic locations within the venue to display their products and render services to customers and patrons who would be trooping into the Ikordu Town hall venue on daily basis for the musical show.
There is also large space for food and drink sellers and other vendors to display their wares and a car park reserved for special guests.
Speaking at the parley with the media to usher in the yuletide activities, Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, the Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Diaspora and foreign relations, said that “the Greater Lagos Extravaganza” will be unforgettable.”
He added that the Sanwo-Olu administration will take the improved ‘One Lagos Fiesta’ to a greater height.
“We’ve thought and deemed it fit to take the One Lagos Fiesta to a greater level.”
According to him, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will visit all the five centres during the event that will last till early morning of January 1, 2020.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is going to be visiting every centre of the event.
“He is going to go there with his cabinet members because they want to connect with the people.
“We’re running an inclusive government, one that doesn’t segregate itself from the people, one that wants to feel the pulse of the people, hear what they are feeling, see what they are going through.”
According to Sanwo-Olu, Greater Lagos Extravaganza would be unforgettable and there would be talent hunt event in each of the five centres and the top 2 winners from each centre would compete for the grand prize at Eko Atlantic City on December 31.
