Once again, Lagos is set to live up to its billing as the entertainment, culture and tourism hub of Nigeria.

From December 29, 2023, to January 1, 2024, Lagos will be hosting discerning lovers of entertainment, visitors and the general public to a three-day event tagged ‘Lagos Countdown 2024#GreaterLagos Fiesta’.

This year’s edition of the fiesta will feature fireworks, live music concerts, comedy, and cultural performances across the five IBILE divisions of the state; Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja., Lagos and Epe.

Speaking during a media parley heralding the tourism event, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, noted that the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta has become an annual tradition, a celebration of music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos.

According to Benson-Awoyinka, in her address at the media parley, which was held on December 15, 2023, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa Ikeja, the state is taking the fiesta to a whole new level, with three days of non-stop excitement this year.

“We are intentional in our focus of deliberately positioning Lagos State to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events,” she said.

The state has sustained the hosting of the annual fiesta because of its benefits, especially providing fun activities and entertainment for Lagosians in their various localities across the five Ibile divisions of the state.

Reeling out other benefits, the commissioner said, “As a matter of fact, the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta, has been serving the purpose of discovering and nurturing new talents, exposing young talented entertainers to bigger platforms, while also serving as a mechanism for curbing youth restiveness that often characterizes the festive period.

“The three-day event will also positively impact the state’s economy through massive sales of goods and services to thousands of fun and entertainment lovers throughout the duration of the event”.

For her, this year’s edition of the annual end-of-the-year event, being the first in the second term in office of Governor Olusola Sanwo-Olu, is going to be a fantastic way to bid farewell to the year 2023 and welcome the new one, the year 2024, with a bang.

“We have lined up an incredible array of music stars who will grace the stage and thrill all fun lovers from Badagry to Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Ikeja featuring homegrown talents to international sensations, the best of afrobeat, highlife, juju and fuji,” the commissioner disclosed.

She further described the event as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity that Lagos State has to offer.

“It is a celebration of our music, our art, and our vibrant cultural scene. The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is a platform that brings people together, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of unity and community,” she said.

Apart from music, the fiesta will also showcase the best of local cuisine, arts and crafts, and traditional performances, offering participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and flavours that make Lagos such a unique and vibrant city.

While the details of the entertainers, artists, and other special attractions for participants at the event would be made known in the next few days, Benson-Awoyinka used the media parley medium to call on the public, especially owners of businesses and service providers who are interested using the platform of the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta to market themselves to the world, to approach the Ministry for registration.

As well, the window of sponsorship for the event is also open to interested corporate sponsors willing to collaborate with the State Government to make the event a success.

However, on behalf of the Ministry and her team, she appreciated Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the chairman, members of the State Executive Council, speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly through Solomon Bonu, chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, for their individual and collective support that has resulted in successful editions of the fiesta.

In her conclusion, she called on Lagosians to mark their calendars for the event and the media to amplify the message for everyone to get ready for the three-day show.

“It is going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, laughter, and joy. Let us come together as one big Lagos family and make memories that will last a lifetime,” the Commissioner urged.