The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lagos @ 50

  • Lagos @ 50: Lawmaker, monarch laud Ambode over anniversary

    Commendations have continued to pour in for the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, over his decision that all the divisions of the state, as well as all residents of the state, should be carried along in the various activities marking the ongoing 50th anniversary of the state The commendation also comes with the call on the governor not to relent in his quest to extend development into all the nooks and cranny of the state.

    Speaking to The Nation, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, commended Ambode for taking the initiative to celebrate the anniversary in all the five divisions of the state. “We are happy. I am personally proud of the Governor. He has shown that he cares for all the people of Lagos. He is interested in the development of all the divisions.

    This is why he has ensured that the ongoing 50th anniversary of the state is not only being celebrated in Alausa. With the Boat regatta and other activities taking place all over the state, Ambode has ensured an all encompassing celebration,” the Ayangbure said.

    Speaking in the same vein, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade, said the people of Ikorodu division are elated that the Governor did not exclude them from the celebration. He added that beyond the good news of boat regatta and other activities holding in Ikorodu, the Governor has also reassured the people of his readiness to develop the division.

    “The Government of Lagos State has put machineries in place to commence the construction of Owutu/Ishawo/Arepo road as well as Igbe/Ginti road soon and a stakeholders forum regarding that will hold  later this month. The governor has given approval for a Government Chalet to be built in a lagoon front site in Ikorodu division.

    “Construction of a City mall has been approved to be built in Ikorodu division and the site is already approved by the governor. Ikorodu Local Government is positioned to get a new secretariat very soon. The government is committed to  the eight lane road from Sabo- Ikorodu to Itokin, to align with the road construction on Epe itokin axis.

    Construction of Divisional stadium for Ikorodu within the vast parcel of land at Lagos State Polytechnic is to commence very soon. Industrial park is now approved for Imota, in addition to the Regional Commodity market already approved for location and construction in the area. Kudos to Hon. N.S Solaja and Prince Rotimi Ogunleye,” he said.

  • Lagos unveils plan to celebrate golden jubilee

    Lagos unveils plan to celebrate golden jubilee

    …To feature Fela Musical Concert, Eyo Festival, Carnival, Jazz Festival, Others  

     

    The Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee on Monday unveiled range of activities for the final celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee anniversary.

    Addressing a world press conference at the Banquet Hall in Lagos House, Ikeja, Co-chair of the Lagos @ 50 Planning Committee, Mr Habeeb Fasinro said the final lap of the celebration would kick off on Saturday, April 8 and culminate on Saturday, May 27, 2017.

    Fasinro, who was joined at the conference by other members of the Committee including Professor Ademola Abass, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mrs. Chika Balogun, said the events lined up for the celebration has been carefully selected to tell the story and journey from 1967 when the State was created till date.

    He said the event would kick off on April 8, with a special Musical Play tagged “Wakaa” produced and directed by ace producer and director, Bolanle Austen-Peters at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos.

    He said the celebration would continue on April 13 with a three-day Broadway Musical Concert tagged “FELA” that would feature the life and times and the Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and celebrate his pioneering music to be performed by a combined cast of the original Broadway production and the Royal National Theatre production under Bill T. Jones.

    The Co-chair said a Boat Regatta parade would also hold on April 15 in Epe, Badagry and Lagos Island to showcase the State’s aquatic asset to residents and visitors alike, while a Jazz Meets Fashion event would take place on April 30 and would see Grammy award winning Jazz artistes share the stage with Nigerian musicians while the evolution of fashion in Lagos State over the past 50 years will also dominate the runway.

    Fasinro said the celebration would continue on May 1 with a Special Workers’ Day celebration by both active and retired civil servants with a special parade in the morning at the Agege Stadium and a dinner in the evening, adding that on May 5, five of the highest box office films and five evergreen films would be screened to local audience in the five divisions of the State including Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

    He said a Lagos Carnival would also hold on May 13 in both the Island and Mainland zones of the State and extend to the different communities and ethnic groups in Lagos, while the Eyo Festival, last staged five years ago, would make a grand return on May 20 at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

    He also said on May 24, all former Governors of the State will join Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in council for a Special State Executive Council Session, while the Judiciary and House of Assembly would hold same on May 18 and May 22 respectively.

    He said among other events, the grand finale slated for May 27, which coincides with Children’s Day Celebration would feature a historic gala night that would have a rich blend of good music and the best of Lagos cuisine, photo exhibition and the unveiling of a special coffee table book that captures the essence of Lagos through the lens of 50 accomplished photographers.

    He said though the 50-day celebration ends on May 27, the celebration of the State’s Golden Jubilee would continue beyond throughout the year with series of festivals and events to celebrate the State’s rich cultural heritage.

    Fasinro also enjoined residents to key into the various events, adding that the anniversary is “a celebration of Lagosians, by Lagosians, for Lagosians”.

    Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said May 27, 2016 when the events flagged off, there had been series of events that had held on the 27th of every month to mark Lagos @ 50.