Kunle Adelabu
The return of the annual yuletide entertainment carnival, now renamed ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta’, has been well received by the Ikorodu people who also expressed disappointment at the level of the organization.
The carnival, which began on Thursday, December 29, 2022, again, provided residents the opportunity to gather and relax in a safe and convivial environment.
Though, it started on a low key on Thursday, residents started trooping to the Ikorodu Ultra – Modern Town Hall which is the venue of event for, lkorodu division, on the same night and in no time, the large space was filled with fun – seekers.
Just as it has been the tradition of the fiesta since inception, there was a talent hunt show and opportunity for up and coming artistes to showcase their talents.
While the popular fuji music act, Remi Aluko, Apala musician, Haruna Ishola and gospel act, Kenny St Ogungbe headlined the opening day on Thursday, there was no major act on Friday, but the lovely traditional performances by Adunni and group which sang in Ijebu, Ilaje, Osun, Ibadan, Igbo, Edo, Hausa, Egun, Ekiti and Tapa, did not only entertained the crowd, but also connected with them.
A former actor and musician who is now a community chief, popularly called Majek Baba, took over from Adunni to increase the tempo and made the crowd get along with his sonorous and soulful music.
While residents enjoyed the return of the fiesta, they also complained about the standard of the carnival this year. Many were of the view that there was no enough information to create awareness about the much – expected yuletide carnival.
They also complained about the poor standard of the event which, according to them, does not match the previous editions in terms of stage and sound systems.
On the ground at the Ikorodu venue are fire trucks, ambulances and enough security for residents.
Mr Kunle, a fun – seeker, spoke with THE IMPACT on Friday, on the event.
“I was here on Thursday with friends because we have been looking forward to the fiesta, but quite disappointing that they brought lesser artistes to perform and worst of it, the stage and sound system are poor. We can hardly hear the songs on the speaker, compare to what we are used to”, he said.
Another resident, Femi Adetayo also expressed similar disappointment.
“We came here hoping that the previous standard of the fiesta would be maintained, and more so, it is an election period, but it is quite disappointing with what we have been witnessing. The engineers struggled with the sound systems at the opening day, and today too, we are not hearing anything better. The sound systems used a few years back echoed as far as Grammar School, but you can hardly hear what they are using now, even within the venue”, he said.
“I don’t know if they are experiencing what we are facing here in Ikorodu, in other parts of the state, but this is not up to standard at all”, he added.
A lady who turned down our reporter’s request when asked for her name, commended the state government for bringing back the fiesta, but also called for improvement in its organisation.
She also condemned the sound systems and stage provided in Ikorodu.
