LAGOS LAGOON WATER CARNIVAL SET TO HOLD IN DECEMBER *UNVEILING HELD IN IKEJA, LAGOS

 This is good news for all lovers of great fun and quality entertainment resident in Lagos and beyond. Something big is about to happen. In the next couple of months, December, 2024 to be precise, a phenomenal carnival, the type never seen before in these parts, that will totally change the entertainment landscape, will be unleashed. And its going to be one that every single participant will remember for a long time to come.

The carnival is called the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival and it is the initiative of Mic-Idols Concept, founded by the very experienced and irrepressible Mr. Olumuyiwa Adesanya. The event, as of this very moment, is attracting the attention of lots of corporate organisations that are eager to jump on the sponsorship prospects of the event while others have since concluded agreements with the organisers to be major sponsors of the event that promises to be one of its kind. Already, the event is enjoying the full support of the Lagos state government and several other private organisations. This was disclosed at the unveiling ceremony of the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival held on Friday, September 28, 2024, at The Watercress Hotel & Events, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.   

According to Mr. Olumuyiwa Adesanya, the initiator and founder of Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival, the Lagos state government led by Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is throwing its full weight behind the event. Mr. Muyiwa, who also doubles as the CEO of Mic-Idols and Concert Ltd, explained, “Our aim is to boost the socio-economic trade activities of the state in an exciting manner, and we have had the privilege getting the full backing the Lagos state government and all hands will be on deck to ensure we have an outstanding event.” 

Mr. Adesanya also added, “We have been reaching out to corporate bodies and other organisations for sponsorship and support, as this carnival promises to be a turning point with lots of fun and value for money by boosting trade and commerce within the water transport industry and beyond.”

He went further to explain what Mic-Idols, his entertainment outfit, is all about. “Mic-Idols, fully pronounced, is microphone idols. If you check our logo very well, you will see the crown and you’ll see the microphone and that is the trademark of Mic-Idols Concept Ltd.  We have done series of events in the past, we have done Extra Loud Music concert and a few others, and now, we are set to organise the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival. It has taken us this much time because we had to take our time to research and do our due diligence before stepping out with the project. The concept is a unique one, a one of its kind that is bringing a lot of activities to the table and I can assure you that with the competence and capacity of the team working on this project, we are going to come out in a really big way very, very soon.” 

Mr. Sola Obasa, MD of Events Perspective and another top officer of the events outfit, Mr. Wale, took turns to shed more light on what to expect at the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival. Mr. Wale, who spoke first, gave details of what the carnival will be about. He began by explaining why the organisers chose Lagos. “Lagos has one of the biggest economies in the world and also has territorial advantage with a large water coastal region. Lagos has the cultural advantage with our Eyo festival and other cultural elements Lagos possesses. So, we will harness all of these elements and put them together to make an outstanding event.”

“Lagos is home to all. Lagos is where you have your skit maker, you have Sikiru the artisan, you have Emeka the trader, you have our beautiful lady here that works hard to earn a living, and of course, you have the Gen Zs. At the end of the day, there’s the saying that says, there aint no party like a Lagos party, so when you work hard, you play hard.”

“What’s peculiar about the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival? This will be like the first Amphibian event. I describe it as Amphibian because it will hold on both water and land at the same time. We will be having a party and a major part of the event that will hold on the sea and on land at the same time.  The whole idea is to engender togetherness. Lagos is a melting pot of a lot of cultures and professions, so we will bring all these to life at the event. We want an event that reflects all the characters of Lagos. It will feature top entertainment performances and evoke the African spirit and avail a peep at the world through the lenses of Lagos.”

“We also want to contribute to put Lagos at the top frontiers of top coastal economies globally. Lately we have been talking about the blue economy. There are places such as the Bahamas where about 90 percent of their work force rely on their coastal economy, its all about their waters. So, we said, let’s have an event that spotlights the capacity Lagos has, coming from culture and the natural water bodies we have in Lagos.”

“Our target is Lagosians and Nigerians in diaspora. December is the time of the year everybody wants to come home and dig it. And of course, Lagos is heterogenous, we have people from all walks of life from different parts of the country in Lagos and we are making sure that all of the elements of this event have the feel that will feed all of these niche. So, if you’re a Disaporan, if you come to the event, there will be a reason why you have to come. If you’re a Lagos resident, there will be a reason, and if you’re a foreigner, you will have your reasons for coming because we have tourism enthusiasts all over the world. Same with fun lovers all over the world, we have to capture them as well and of course the general public.”

 “So, what are the objectives of the carnival? First, we want to create an unparalleled line of fun and excitement in Lagos in a most unique way, promote the prominence of Lagos water ways and sell to the global audience and attract investments, highlight the blue ocean accomplishments of Lagos, utilising Lagos state as a strategic destination marketing initiative. We want to sensitise Lagos residents on the need and how to protect its waters and water ways. So, what we’re doing is, we are not just partying, we’re using this project to also make sure people understand and begin to imbibe the culture of water management and preservation. The message is, do not block or waterways!”

“Heralding the next edition, we will have a campaign that will run from this edition to the next, meaning that we’re not just partying and going to sleep. So, here’s where we will be having our Queen Lagos pagaent. We are going to have a Queen that is an embodiment of what Lagos speaks for. We are looking for beauty that is not just about facial look and structure, but also smartness and sharpness. There will be forms put out there for the ladies to pick. We need ladies that are mentally sound, intelligent and can defend a cause which is the Save Our Waters campaign. So, it’s not just about girls coming out in bikinis, she must have the ability, the carriage and the intellectual strength to carry this project beyond boundaries. So, the Save Our Water campaign will be sustained by the Queen Lagos.”

“Then, we have the BOAT awards, it is the high point of the event. The BOAT here is actually an acronym for the Best of all time, so we are talking about the Lagos Best Of All Time awards. We are going to be awarding individuals from both public and private sectors that have done remarkably well in Lagos and have contributed to the development of our dear Lagos, including honouring outstanding individuals who have passed on post humously.”

In addition, Mr. Olusola Obasa, CEO of Media Perspective, the event organiser listed two major highlights of the grand event targeted to fully harness and celebrate the richness and diversity that Lagos offers. “The Queen Lagos will be distinct,” Obasa noted, adding that it’s a paradigm shift to express the beauty from core Lagos qualities, beyond the facial beauty. The pageant winner will be the face of Save Our Waters campaign.”

Other special guests at event such as Mrs. Faith Oyosoro Okon of Sell Well Ltd, owners of Black Stallion Energy drink, Dr. Hashim Afifa of Danest Hotel & Suites and Squadron leader Francis Anammah, all took turns to speak briefly about the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival.

The event had in attendance a quality assemblage of senior media practitioners and other distinguished personalities from different sectors and industry. The event’s media Consultant, Mr. Dapo Olaniyan, an accomplished media practitioner himself, pulled out all the stops to ensure that the fourth estate of the realm was well represented at the event to give support to the Lagos Lagoon Water Carnival.

                                            WALE LAWAL (08037209290)