Lagos govt cancels planned fiesta over COVID-19 fourth wave fears

The Lagos State government has announced the suspension of its annual end-of-year event tagged, Greater Lagos Fiesta, over fears of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

It stressed that it was imperative to follow the latest proactive advice from health authorities to suspend all activities earlier announced for the month-long event.

In a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, it was said that the decision to suspend the fiesta followed sound advisory from health authorities in respect of the crowd expected at the gatherings as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members from the Diaspora, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.

She said, “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 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.”

Akinbile-Yussuf also thanked the corporate sponsors who had so far indicated interest to support the event, saying, “We will not forget your rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide 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.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…Lagos govt cancels fiesta.    Lagos govt cancels fiesta

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…Lagos govt cancels fiesta.  Lagos govt cancels fiesta