Ahead of the 50th anniversary of Lagos State, the sight and sound of Lagos last weekend, came alive at the popular Notting Hill Carnival LNHC in London tagged; “#LoveLagosWeekend.” However, taking a cue from previous years, LNHC, Europe’s biggest street festivity and the world’s second biggest, offered the state a rare platform to showcase its heart of love, oneness and peace it branded “One Lagos.”
The event was also part of activities of showcasing Africa’s rich cultural heritage to the global community. The carnival, a vivid spectacle representing London’s multicultural past and present, saw people from across the United Kingdom, friends and lovers of the state as they converged on the Nigerian Corner, Adelaja Street, to celebrate Lagos and what the state has been able to achieve under the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode.
Beyond the glitz that attracted huge enthusiasts to Adelaja Street, the popular Nigerian Corner at Nottinghill Carnival, was transformed to Lagos Corner as part of LoveLagosWeekend, which commenced on August 27 and ended August 29.
At Lagos Corner, a cross section of the audience and artistes from Nigeria performed to the amazement of fun-seekers during the three-day campaign, which brought dynamism to the way Notting Hill Carnival had been celebrated in the past 50 years. The artistes included the Rain Maker, Majek Fashek, May7ven, Shikane, Ade Swagz and Ceeboy.
The campaign was anchored by ace comedian and compere, Gbenga Adeyinka, the First. Also in attendance were DJ Abass, Shope Olajide, Wale Gates and MC Momelo. At the VIP section were Yeni Kuti, Nikki Laoye, Kemi Otegbade, Kaita Okeowo, Seyi Brown, Ayo Shonaiya, Sammy Okposo, Drew Uyi, Mofe Duncan and Timi Adegbite.
Aside the excitement and glamour that was visible at Lagos Corner, the message of LoveLagosWeekend was indeed irresistible. The Lagos State Government staged for a grand purpose, according to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde. He said it was put together to sell Lagos and unite its friends and lovers in the diaspora.
For Ayorinde, the gains of LoveLagosWeekend demonstrate Lagos potentials in arts, entertainment and tourism. He said it was in line with Ambode’s vision to use arts, entertainment and tourism “to promote social cohesion and create employment opportunities. The carnival offered rare platform to market Lagos globally.”
Consequently, the commissioner explained the objectives of the campaign, which he said, “are to create awareness of the Ambode administration; provide platform for interaction with Lagos indigenes and lovers of the state in the Diaspora and market the state to potential investors that can contribute towards the Lagos@50 celebrations.”
Mr. Ayo Sonaiya, the promoter of Lagos Corner, was more excited at the historic celebration. Sonaiya told Lagos friends and lovers that transforming Nigerian Corner to Lagos Corner “is a dream fulfilled.” At the grand finale of LoveLagosWeekend, Sonaiya said the campaign “coincides with the Notting Hill Carnival’s 50th edition.”
He said he was excited that at a time Lagos State “is counting down to its 50th anniversary,” it had been seized by the Ambode administration as one huge platform “to reach out to millions of Nigerians and Lagosians in particular.
“Notting Hill Carnival has just celebrated its 50th edition. Lagos seized the platform to send a message to the world and showcase the emerging powerful brand it has become under the Ambode administration, especially in the areas of arts and entertainment and in connecting with the Diaspora about the great things being recorded.”
For Sonaiya, Lagos Corner will always provide a veritable platform for performing artistes from Lagos State to showcase their talents. But beyond showcasing their talents, Sonaiya said, Lagos Corner will further give ver
