Lagos State has always been seen as the midpoint of entertainment in Nigeria. If anyone was in doubt of this position, witnessing the unveiling of the One Lagos brand at the Eko Atlantic must have changed such a person’s perception.
The mission of the brand launch is to push the new Lagos agenda further and promote the true spirit of Lagos by telling different stories through music, exhibitions, dance, comedy and food.
Days one and two were prelude to the grand finale, which lived up to billing, considering the large crowd that graced the occasion and quality of performances. It was also an exhibition of the tourism potential of the state.
The magnitude of commercial activities generated around the event was also a highpoint. For instance, A barbecue vendor, Perpetual Johnson, disclosed that she was able to sell five cartons of grilled chicken on the first day of the event.
Olawale Kayode, who sold Shawarma, lauded the Lagos State government for providing an enabling environment for traders to make money.
For an event of such magnitude, there is always security challenges. But whatever the planners did to manage the security, they did it well. All through the duration of the unveiling, it was a prefect Lagos party. There was no stress, no mayhem, no robbery incident and no troublemakers.
In fact, the sight of the heavily built bouncers and well equipped security operatives must have discouraged anyone who planned to forment trouble.
Top Nigerian entertainers were also on hand to offer support. 9ice, Julius Agwu, Solidstar, Rayce, Konga, Big Chef (Abeni Salawa’s son), MI, YCEE, Vector, Lil Kesh, Reekado Banks and Korede Bello were present. So were CDQ, Chidinma, Adekunle Gold, Orezi, May D, Olumaintain, Saeon and Humble Smith, all performing at the event at different times. AY, Jimmy and Ehiz anchored the grand finale, while Dj Caise and Dj Neptune were on the wheels of steel.
On Day 2, designers such as O’saunders, Jreason, Mc Stell, Ayaba for Veba and a host of others showcased their lovely wears.
The One Lagos brand was officially launched on Day 3, the grand finale, by the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.
The governor expressed how Lagos intended to use hospitality, tourism and culture to assist its growing economy.
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Folorunsho Folarin-Coker, explained to journalists at the grand finale that One Lagos was all about culture and dance and the best place to hold it was the bar beach.
“We don’t have a choice any more than to invest in an alternative income. We have music, film and population, so why don’t we just focus inward and try to consume more of Lagos so as to grow our internal economy,” he said.
