Encomium
For the fifth year running, colour, glamour and splendid displays took the centre stage as a capacity crowd of excited Lagosians and foreign tourists on Easter Monday thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square for the Lagos Carnival 2014.
Guests from all walks of life and youths watched with excitement as the different groups and floats representing different areas and groups participated in a colourful carnival procession amidst cheers and applause by the appreciative audience.
The State Governor Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was joined by his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Adejoke Orelope Adefulire while addressing the gathering reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence and urged everyone to remain vigilant and be their brothers’ keeper.
He explained that there is a need for everyone to be peaceful and to respect each other’s choice, adding that it is only when there is peace that this kind of carnival can take place in the State.
“Let me congratulate all of you for this season of Easter, a season of sacrifice and triumph. I urge you that as you go from here, you must expect that we will triumph over all our challenges”, he added
“It is my pleasure to be here with you at this year 2014 Carnival called LASGIDI. It has been a whole week of fun from Badagry to the Waterways in the Regatta and many other activities at the Freedom Park”, he added.
He added that the Carnival represents the real spirit of Lagos which is a spirit of prosperity after prosperity, adding that all of the materials, the fabrics, feathers and sequins used for the costumes have been sold out in the markets.
The Lagos Carnival which is a beautiful recreation of the age long tradition of Brazilian Lagos as pioneered by Brazilian returnees Emancipados was given added impetus through a colourful display of music, dance and procession by various groups.
The various contingents of the participants had earlier gone in a procession through different routes like Bourdillon Road –Giwa Barracks- Falomo Roundabout-Awolowo Road- King George V Road- Igbosere Road- Campos Square- Catholic Mission Street and – Tafawa Balewa Square in a road show which was characterized by beautiful leg works and display.
All the six educational districts in Lagos were represented at the parade which also featured areas like, Ikeja, Ketu, Agege, Ifako- Ijaiye, Ikorodu Ogba, Isolo, Surulere, Odi- Olowo, Mushin, Ilasamaja, Oworonshoki Awoyaya, Addo Langbasa, Epe and Badagry which all joined the traditional Fanti groups of Campos Lafiaji, Epetedo and Oko Faji in the beautiful display and a spirit of broader participation.
Guests at the event included Tourism Minister, Mr Edem Duke, members of the State Executive Council especially Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, Establishment, Training and Pensions, Mrs Florence Oguntuashe, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ademorin Kuye, Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abimbola Shodipo, elder statesman, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and former Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele and members of the Local Organising Committee.
SIGNED
HAKEEM BELLO
SPECIAL ADVISER TO H.E ON MEDIA
APRIL 21, 2014
