Speeches

2010 Lagos Carnival

Apr 5, 2010 - The rebirth of the world’s global economy will depend on what happens in Africa.

It will depend on Africa’s natural resources like tea, coffee, gas, oil and so much more, especially her greatest resource, her people.

Lagos, the heart beat of the economy of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country will play a significant role in that process of rebirth.

The Lagos Tourism Week, which started on the 3rd of April 2010 with the opening of the Black Heritage Festival and the Boat Regatta take us back to the history of the most devastating practice inflicted on Africans, the trans Atlantic slave trade.

But even if we forgive, we do not forget. We have resolved to turn adversity into prosperity.

The Lagos carnival which is now combined as the high point of those events, into an Easter Tourist programme for Lagos, signals our commitment to move away from those painful memories when families were separated at the point of no return, and transform those memories into a significant rebuilding exercise to a point of triumphant return.

We have brought out our families, our culture, our food, fashion, creativity and industry to truly show our colours in Lagos.

For the past few weeks, all hands have been on deck by the planning Committee, comprising leaders of Lagos, the Oba of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Alhaji Femi Okunnu, Cardinal Okogie, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Local Government Chairmen, Medical teams, traffic management corps, skill acquisition centres, and so much more, to deliver this audacious statement of Lagos States’s readiness to open her tourist economy.

Taxi Drivers, Tailors, bus drivers, merchants, costume designers, students and graduates of our skills acquisition centres have worked hard to show the growing strength of the Lagos economy.

We have produced over 93,000 pieces of costumes locally to demonstrate the creativity that lies in the Lagos as the fashion capital of Africa.

The Chairman of the Heritage Festival, Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Chairman of the Boat Regatta, Engr. Segun Jawando and the Chairman of the Lagos Carnival, Mr. Disun Holloway, have all demonstrated remarkable leadership and selflessness for which I thank them profoundly on behalf of the Government and people of Lagos.

The presence of thousands of Lagosians here has added enormous colour and vitality to a huge statement of eco-tourism.

The passion of the media and their partnership remains a useful and truly appreciated asset to propagate the possibilities of enormous prosperity in our tourism.

Although the carnival is coming to a close after a wonderful family day with massive children and adult participation, the Tourism Week continues until Friday the 9th April, 2010 with various events such as symposia, drama, stage plays and lectures taking place in various places like Glover Hall, National Theatre and Badagry.

As I wish you all a very happy Easter, I look forward to seeing all of you and our guests from within and outside Nigeria next year because the preparation for next year’s event starts immediately today; with bigger sponsorship opportunities for corporates and individuals.

God bless you all and safe journey back to your various destinations.

Eko o ni baje o!

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State