Izuchukwu Okosi
The 2021 edition of the Greater Lagos Fiesta will not hold as planned due to fears over a possible fourth wave of the Coronavirus.
Lagos State Government on Saturday made this declaration through the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.
The Honourable Commissioner said it was imperative that the well attended show be postponed as some European nations have reintroduced restrictions to forestall any crisis.
Many Nigerians in diaspora are expected to turn up for the event but according to the Commissioner, the suspension follows advisory from health authorities in respect of the mammoth crowd expected at some of the gatherings.
”This is as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members of the Diaspora community, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.
Akinbile-Yussuf then made reference to countries that have expressed readiness to reintroduce restrictions of movements.
”We have seen Germany, Austria, and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays.
”This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December, when scores of our citizens died during the pandemic around yuletide.
”Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science”.
“The strategic intent of the state government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State, by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta.
”But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations,” she said.
The commissioner expressed her profound joy and thanks all the corporate sponsors who had so far indicated interest to support this year’s edition of the fiesta.
”We will not forget your rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and, indeed, the people of Lagos State at a challenging time when businesses are battling with limited resources.
”You will remain our partners for this and similar initiatives that are in the works,” she said.
Akinbile-Yussuf, then urged event organisers and owners of event centres with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the Ministry of Health.
She urged them to enforce strict adherence to all COVID-19 health safety protocols.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
