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Ever thought
of why England, Brazil, Germany and other countries spend so much to keep their
carnivals going. The answer is simple. They make more than they spend. The
ratio of the expenditure on this carnivals to the revenue is like pouring a cup
of water into an ocean. The hospitality, aviation, beverage, fast food, bureau
de change, banking industry and others are beneficiaries of such events.
Lagos
carnival celebration like Nottingham carnival show cases the artistic, cultural
and joyful spirit of Lagosians. Prior to 2010 when Ex-Governor of Lagos State -
Babatunde Raji Fashola put up a team headed by Mr Adeogun Adeola that organized
the first Lagos carnival, many communities organize street carnivals at a
chosen time in the year to wine, dance and dine. These carnivals usually occur
at Easter or the month of December and January, depending on each street’s
organizers. However, the earliest recording of a carnival in Lagos was 1881
after the completion of the Holy Cross Cathedral on Lagos Island - Called
Carreta. It used to be held three times a year- Easter Monday, Christmas Day
and New Year’s Day.
But with
Lagos State government intent to build and brand itself as a mega city, such
initiative like the Lagos carnival was birthed. The carnival allows
participants to showcase effigies like; camels, butterflies etc.
The
glamorous carnival procession is within the Ikoyi axis and the grand rendezvous
for everyone is the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) – a Remembrance Arcade (with
memorials to World War I, World War II and civil-war victims) and the 26-storey
Independence House.
Some of the
junior and adult carnival groups include Locomotion, Oko Faji, Obalende,
Isale-Eko, Ogba, Africarebeanna, Ikeja, Surulere and Lafiaji.
Some of the
dignitaries and celebrities that have graced the carnival so far are; Ex-Governor
of Lagos State (Babatunde Fashola), Abimbola Fashola, Princess Adejoke
Orelope-Adefulire (Ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State), Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson,
Mr Disu Holloway (Ex-Commissioner for Tourism, Lagos State), Professor Wole
Soyinka, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi (Business mongul), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi,
Oba of Lagos (Oba Rilwan Akiolu I), Oba of Badagry (Whenu Aholu MenuToyi 1),
Late (Chief) Molade Okoya Thomas, American film star - Danny Glover, Opral
Benson and many more.
The future
is bright. We can only be hopeful. God bless Nigeria! God bless Lagos!
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| Effigy of Obafemi Awolowo |
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| Effigy of Prof Wole Soyinka |
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| Effigy of Late Fela Kuti |
Credit: The Punch Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper, Thisday, CP Africa, Lukesh Photography, Bella Naija, Village Square.
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