Lagos Carnival: Governor Fashola Speaks on the Carnival and Carnival Logistics

“Lagos Carnival 2010

 . .  . I am pleased to invite you to be a part of the Lagos Carnival and Black Heritage Festival week which commences from the 3rd to the 9th of April.

The traditional Fanti or Carretta carnival which started around the turn of the previous century was held around the Campos Square area of Lagos Island as a result of historical links with emancipados and their descendants from Brazil and West Indies .The foot prints of the returnees are to this day evident in our architecture, cuisine and street parties or carnivals. As a testament to the embracing and diverse cultures of Lagos State, I am gratified to note that 92.3% of intending 14,500 participants in the coming Lagos Carnival 2010 is from areas outside Lagos Island which was the traditional base of street carnivals. The Lagos Carnival will therefore be a celebration of the city’s ancestry and plurality of identity.

The Lagos State Government has decided to leverage on the enormous tourism and economic development potentials of these carnivals by integrating them into the World Heritage Festival as the high point of a week of exposition of African culture and heritage when Lagos will host millions of people from various parts of the world.

As our State continues to become a beacon of social and economic development and as our guests from far and near begin to arrive, I urge you to receive them with warmth and welcoming smiles and let them feel our world famous Lagos hospitality from end to end.

The events of the coming carnival will be sea and land based; and the chairman of the Carnival Committee will take you through the details of the programme and answer your questions shortly.

In keeping with the spirit of carnivals world-wide, I will not elaborate on the Adult Carnival, however, suffice that it is suggested that spectators be casually attired and mindful of one of the marine creatures. The route which will be demanding on participants is lined by food and drink booths while conveniences are provided intermittently along the route.

For this day, restaurants and eateries along the route are encouraged to extend their seating areas outside their premises without obstructing sidewalks or the carnival routes. Spectators are also encouraged to watch the carnival from any point along the route as ALL troupes will be visible from any point along the route. Although all the troupes will eventually converge at the Tafawa Balewa Square for the viewing comfort of individuals and families especially children. Admission to the TBS is free.

In order to ensure smooth flowing carnival trains and for the safety of participants/spectators, access roads to carnival routes will be closed to non emergency vehicles during the carnival hours. Alternative routes will however be provided and advertised by LASTMA prior to the carnival day. The Five Cowrie creek will be similarly closed to non participating boats during the duration of the regatta.

As is to be expected, extensive and adequate arrangements for security have been made. I note and thank residents, visitors and the security services for the successful and enjoyable Eyo festival which was held April 2009, and expect that this will be an even bigger success.

I thank the Principals, instructors and students of the Skill Acquisition Centres who have worked round the clock for four months to make over 93,000 pieces of costumes which will be displayed during the carnivals. I also note with pride, that no foreign supervisors or artisans were brought into the country to make any of our costumes.

Everything that you will see on display and some of those you are already seeing were made here in Lagos by your children, your brothers and sisters, your wives and husbands during an enterprising period of commercial exchanges, job creation and team work that shows clearly that nothing is impossible for us to achieve in Lagos once we set our minds to it.

I express special and sincere appreciation to our sponsors for trusting ‘that we could pull off a carnival that will be ranked high up there along with other international carnivals. I therefore especially thank Ecobank Pic, Nigerian Breweries Pic, UAC, Yahoo/Seed Media, LTV 8, Eko FM, HITV, Maltina, 7up, Caverton Helicopter, Civic Centre and Smooth FM. I also thank the Lagos Polo Club, the Lagos Motor Boat Club, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and all Secondary schools who permitted us to use their grounds as Staging Areas and viewing centres.

I wish all our hotels, restaurants, event centres a very rewarding time as our visitors book their rooms, order food and drinks, buy souvenirs and contribute to our economic prosperity. I urge you to treat them with. the utmost courtesy so that you can have them back next year and keep them as your valued customers for a long time to come.

My gratitude also goes to medical doctors in the public and private sector who have offered support to provide first aid and medical kiosks along the route.

I must also thank all members of the Planning Committee especially the elders, which include HRH The Oba of Lagos, the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Alhaji Fasinro, Alhaji Okunnu, Chief Coker, Sir Obilana and Mr. Amosu Gasper for their support and contributions at meetings.

I look forward to a season of joy and laughter and wish you a Happy Easter in advance.

Eko o ni baje o.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State ”

Speech given on March 30th, 2010

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