Lagos to kick start Yuletide with street party, 500,000 tourists expected — Commissioner

Lagos State government said on Thursday that it will kick start this year’s Yuletide season with street party for residents and about 500,000 visitors and tourists in a bid to boost tourism in the state.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Alausa, saying the government was collaborating with White Star, an entertainment firm to organize the event.

According to Ayorinde, the street party is one of the initiatives of the government to use entertainment to drive the state economy, the event would hold from 3 to 4 December, 2016 at Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

The commissioner, while noting that the event would be carnival like as it promised to be entertaining and funlike, said it would be organized annually and would provide opportunities for young people to showcase their various skills.

Speaking further, Ayorinde said the entire stretch of Ahmadu Bello Way would be shut down from mid day 3rd December to Sunday 4th December, adding that alternative route would be created in order to help manage the traffic situation in the axis.

This was just as he said adequate security plans were in place as well as well equip medical facilities during the street party.

“Businesses around these areas will also be sensitize as the street will be busy throughout these two days,” he said.

He explained that the street party which would witness local and foreign visitors was not a replacement of One Lagos Fiesta but rather would complement it.

Also speaking, representative of White Star, the entertainment outfit, who partnered with the state on the project, Akin Akinyelure, said the street party would feature live music, diverse cuisine and creative indigenous games in a beautiful environment.

According to him, “The first day of the party will feature colourful cultural parades, displays, acrobatic acts and live performances by several Nigerian musicians, including Olamide, Phyno, MI and The Police band.”