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Tag: Notting Hill Carnival

  • Ekopolitan toast of Notting Hill carnival

    Ekopolitan toast of Notting Hill carnival

    The crowd was incredible. There was plenty of food and drinks, and noise -including colourful floats with steel bands and Calypso music, and extravagantly clothed dancers. It is perhaps the best annual event in London, and arguably the biggest street festival in Europe. Boasting of a million fun lovers, the London Notting Hill Carnival may have followed after the Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans Mardi Gras as the third biggest street party in the world.

    It all started in the mid-sixties as the creation of the British Afro-Caribbean communities and has now grown into a multi-ethnic street festival. “It’s a really, really lovely atmosphere, with gorgeous weather, lots of good feeling and lots of good people,” said a reveller. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said it was a celebration of London’s diversity.

    And really, the colourful mix at Notting Hill is not dissimilar to the Lagos diversity. The energy is high and the tempo is upbeat.  But it can only get better and better, as Lagos got involved again to bring life into the 30-year old Nigerian corner on Adela Street, near the Ladbroke Grove. The corner is now rechristened The Lagos Corner with an ‘Ekopolitan’ theme.

    It was a composition and theme that highlighted the great potential of this sea side state and largest African city as number one tourism and investment destination in Africa. Like the real Lagos, where you imagine walking through the biggest crowd possible, and then doubling it. That is what it was like at the Ekopolitan Lagos corner of Notting Hill carnival.

    It was an extension of the Lagos at 50 celebration. Lagos clocked 50 as a state on May 27 and Governor AkinwunmAmbode’s government put together a year-long series of activities, part of which was to showcase the state at the featival to boost its tourism potentials and attract tourists to the state with the fifth largest economy in Africa.

    The roll call was as usual, rich – like the typical Lagos owanbeparty. Lagos top officials were rollicking to sounds of Wizkid, P square, Davido, Baddo, Fela Kuti and others.

    Controversal Senator Dino Melaye in London on vacation found his way to the Lagos Corner. He praised Governor Ambode for thinking it fit to showcase Lagos at the Nothin Hill Carnival. Melaye also got the chance to sing his Ajekun Iyani o je the song he composed to lash his political enemies.  Lagos State Commissioner for Information & Strategy Steve Ayorinde, an accomplished arts aficionado, Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Adebimpe Akinsola, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Strategy Fola Adeyemi, the Co Chairmn of the Lagos at 50 celebration, Hon. Habib Fashinro were on hand to sell the state to the world represented at the carnival.

    The team also appeared on television programmes to promote the tourism potentials of Lagos.The theme of the attraction is see, feel and explore Lagos.

    For the carnival proper, Sunday was the curtain raiser when jubilant children held their parade in flamboyant costumes as they danced along the main carnival route. Afro beat giant Femi Kuti and sister Yeni, breezed into the Lagos corner for felicitation -Just as the corner keyed in with a fabulous display of vocals by some guests and emerging artistes and a variety of other performances that included the Eyo masquerades to make the day-one a carnival for the community – and the kids. There was generally back slapping and a feel-good-atmosphere

    On D-Day Monday, Felabration made a debut with a float, tagged the ‘Prophecy’ to honour the 20-year Anniversary of Fela’s transition to the greater beyond. It however failed to secure the licence for the expected performance at the Horniman Pleasance Park.

    But that didn’t deter revellers who sauntered between the two ends for the sounds of Ekopolitan, which is now starting to drive the crowd into frenzy at the Lagos corner. Fully fit revellers, White, Africans, coloured also wanted more. But the time flew fast. This is London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea where permits are strict and regulation is tight. 7pm is 7pm and the music must stop.

    By Tuesday, another day of the Lagos Ekopolitan, guests and state officials wound their way into the 805 restaurant on old Kent road, London for a taste of Amala, pounded yam, jolof rice, fresh fish and orisirisi. It was an evening of networking and cool music with Lagos@50 co-chair Fashinro.

    By 6pm, the moved from food and cool sound to the theatre with Saro The Musical at the Shaw Theatre on Euston road, London.

    And for another three hours, the dance, drama and musical was a gripping and enthralling display of stagecraft and performance. Again, it puts Lagos on the spot light.

    “Saro is a moving portrait of ‘The African Dream’. It is a modern, dynamic musical painted with colours of hope, self-will, love and determination. In’ Saro’ the journey of four young courageous men who stepped out of their comfort zone to city life, the land of opportunities in search of success” said the artistic director and theatre impresario Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters.

    The musical tells the story of four young people and their life-changing journey to Lagos and their human odyssey through hopes, dreams, misfortunes, loves, and destiny, all crafted in a rich and involving 14 act masterpiece. Saro explores the endeavours of the characters with an empathetic and realistic gaze, the troubles and small victories of four people discovering themselves in a harsh, unwelcoming city. The costumes, songs and choreographies, and its colourful and unforgettable characters will drag you into a rollercoaster of entertainment through, music and dance.

    Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, the force behind Terra Kulture, one of Nigeria’s most successful and influential arts, cultural and production companies, described ‘Saro The Musical’ as a proudly Nigerian cultural export that has the potential to boost cultural diplomacy and promote our cultural heritage internationally.

  • Dino Melaye booed at Notting Hill Carnival

    Dino Melaye booed at Notting Hill Carnival

    The controversial senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye, was on Monday booed while giving a speech at the Lagos Corner of the Notting Hill Carnival in London.

    Melaye said he was ‘fantastically impressed’ and praised Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode as well as the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the outing at Notting Hill. He also spoke positively of Nigeria’s growth and enviable position in the world, and urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home.

    “I congratulate Nigerians, and I say there’s no country like Nigeria,” he said at a point during his speech.

    “And for those of you who are here, you better come back home because very soon, by the grace of God, we’ll be greater.”

    But while his speech was elating, some Nigerians at the venue interrupted Melaye, shouting ‘ole’ which means thief in Yoruba while he was on stage giving a speech. He also got the middle finger salute by some Nigerians there.

    The senator hurriedly rounded up his speech and left the stage singing his ‘Ajekun Iya’ tune. And the booing did not stop senator from having a good time as he was seen in different pictures prancing about the Carnival.

  • Dolapo Shobanjo’s toeing dad’s step

    Dolapo Shobanjo’s toeing dad’s step

    FIVE months ago, she quit her job in the oil and gas industry to face the fashion business full time. Dolapo Shobanjo is definitely taking cue from her dad, Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman, Troyka Holdings. Young and bold Dolapo is targeting style and fashion lovers to keep their wardrobes stocked up with different wears and accessories with her twin online fashion store. The online store was first launched in 2009 by the female Shobanjo and ran more as part-time. The site’s pop-up store was launched in 2011 and lit up London’s trendy Notting Hill Carnival.

  • Rivers Shines at Notting Hill Carnival

    Rivers Shines at Notting Hill Carnival

    Arguably the most colourful and largest street festival in Europe, the annual Notting Hill Carnival which originated in 1964 as a platform for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own culture and traditions, again lit up the streets of London on August 26.

    It was a headline event that made the city of London agog to the admiration of residents and tourists from across the world. The carnival, which is an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity, featured exceptional displays from people of diverse culture and nationalities, including numerous tourists from Nigeria.

    In furtherance of the strategic positioning of the state as a preferred destination for business and leisure, Rivers State was again on parade at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival with eminent personalities, including top government officials and indigenes of the state adorning the rich costumes of Rivers people. The state cultural ambassadors were at the event under the auspices of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency (RSTDA), the agency responsible for marketing the internationally acclaimed Port Harcourt Carnival (CARNIRIV) brand.

    On duty to showcase the beauty and vibrancy of Rivers people were the state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nnabuihe Imegwu; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Gogo Levi Charles; Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Iboroma Harry; Chairman, Okrika Local Government, Barrister Tamuno Williams; Chairman, RSTDA, Deacon Vincent Erinwa; Director – General, Dr. Sam Dede, and board members, including Chief John Yowika, Mr. Charles Awortu and Mr. Joseph Ewuse. There were also prominent Nollywood stars of the state origin.

    During the carnival, the Rivers contingent was a cynosure of all eyes as they paraded the streets of London in exquisite costumes and colours that served the world a foretaste of what to experience at this year’s Port Harcourt Carnival, holding in December. Their costumes stood out and attracted the attention of many Nigerians in the Diaspora, Jamaicans, Brazilians and people of other nationalities.

    While in London, the contingent was first hosted to a cultural reception at the prestigious African Centre in London. During the reception, they put the best of Rivers culture on display with a spectacular float and rich cultural display.

    In a welcome address, Executive Director, Zmirage UK, Shabaka Thompson, said: “It is a privileged position for Rivers State to be part of the Notting Hill Carnival again this year, thereby becoming a prominent Nigerian state to make a distinctive cultural intrusion onto the world stage with the Notting Hill Carnival to showcase an authentic African cultural brand called CARNIRIV.”

    Speaking further on the initiative, the former CEO of the Notting Hill Carnival said the move by Rivers State was both timely and strategic ‘‘because the CARNIRIV is bringing something unique to the world and also something authentically African and creative.’’ He described himself as “an adopted Port Harcourt boy’’, noting that following his invitation to the CARNIRIV in 2010, he was able to reconnect with his roots. He said the CARNIRIV is ‘‘one place you should be”.

    Shabaka said CARNIRIV publicity campaign materials for this year were already on buses plying the streets of London saying, “last year, we had a large contingent of tourists who visited Rivers State to attend the CARNIRIV and this year, we hope to increase the number, considering the wider impact of the publicity campaign being driven in both the traditional media and the social media from here and Nigeria respectively”.

    He further disclosed that Rivers State was the first Nigerian state to introduce the Afrobeat genre of music to the Notting Hill Carnival musical tradition as opposed to the calypso type of music the carnival had always run on.

    ‘‘This is a significant achievement, considering the warm embrace Afrobeat has received, therefore, drawing more attention to the music’s country of origin and the personality of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo’’,he said.

    Dr. Imeagwu, while corroborating Shabaka, applauded the decision by his ministry and RSTDA to leverage the Notting Hill Carnival for the global marketing of the rich culture of Rivers people as well as reinforcing the strength of the black race.

    “The essence of being here is to hedge deeper into the platform that has already been established by the Caribbeans and to exemplify what other African states ought to be doing to improve the perception of Africa and African culture. It is also aimed at emphasising the conviviality of our people and our values”, he stated.

    Imeagwu added that this year’s edition of the CARNIRIV would be used to wrap up the celebration of the centenary anniversary of the city of Port Harcourt, saying: “I have been specifically asked by our governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, to invite you to be part of this epoch-making event. Please be assured that should you decide and plan to attend, the Rivers State Government will throw down the red carpet to receive you to experience Destination Rivers in a spectacular way.”

    In her goodwill message at the event, Sally Sturgeon, Director of the People’s World Carnival, CARNIRIV’s partner troupe at the Notting Hill Carnival, said: “We are happy to be partnering the CARNIRIV, bringing a carnival of the people of Rivers State on the world stage. This is a fulfilment of our vision. We are indeed a people’s world carnival group and we are delighted at every opportunity to showcase cultural diversity to the world.”