“Lagos @ 50’’ celebrations: Everyone is welcome on board, says LASG

The Lagos State Government (LASG) had said that it was ready to accommodate and involve individuals and corporate organizations willing to contribute to the success of `Lagos @ 50’ celebrations scheduled to start on May 27.

The acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Adebimpe Akinsola, told Newsverge on Tuesday after the end of Lagos Theatre Festival’s opening symposium at the National Theatre in Lagos.

She said that the celebrations would also involve those living in the Diaspora.

“First and foremost, we will be celebrating the creation of Lagos State some 50 years back, the achievements so far recorded by the state and its cultural heritage.

“Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State has set up a planning committee to come up with a programme of activities and everyone will definitely be carried along,” she said.

Newsvergee reports that Lagos State was created out of the old Western Region on May 27, 1967 to become one of the 12 states in Nigeria by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon.

Newsverge also reports that the state would be 50 years by May 27, 2017.

Sequel to this, Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State had to inaugurate a planning committee for the ‘Lagos @ 50’ on Feb.10, 2016 and he named the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Soyinka, as its chairman.

Other members of the committee are: Hon. Habeeb Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr. Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof. (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs. Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass, Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as secretary

The commissioner also said that the activities would start on May 27, 2017 in the five divisions that originally made up of Lagos State Viz: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe .

She added that `Lagos at 50’ would be the celebration of the cultural values, showcasing the cultural strength and the diverse languages of the divisions.

She said that the state had extended invitations to corporate organizations and individuals that included artists to come on board with suggestions and inputs on how we would have a successful celebration.

Akinsola also said that the programme for the celebration would be unveiled in due course for the public including the roles that the artists would be expected to perform.

“Everyone will be involved, Lagosians and non- Lagosians, to celebrate the greatness and achievements of our great city.