The official celebration of the 2012 Lagos Countdown, a celebration of the end of one year and beginning of another which began on Thursday, December 20, with Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, officially declaring it open climaxed with a party at the Eko Atlantic City on Ahmadu Bello Way through the Bar Beach, stretching onto Eko Atlantic Office.
The event, though initially perceived by many as a white elephant project, had a special significance for the Eko Atlantic City particularly because all the land that was washed away by the ocean over 50 years ago is now being reclaimed.
Just as several other states like Osun, Enugu and some major cities of the world like New York and London counted down to...
the year 2013, with colourful celebrations, the story was not different in Lagos State, as residents of the metropolis were treated to an array of special entertainment sessions that featured some of the best names in the entertainment industry.
The much publicised event which was described by many of the guests as the biggest cross-over party they had witnessed in a very long time, had several bouquet of activities introduced by the organisers to mark the event which seems to be taking place in a different world entirely.
The climax of the several months of preparation for the event which saw fireworks specialists, Lazer Hire London, Dal Badial and Darren Marshall being brought in from the UK for an inspection of facilities, was the musical performance at the Countdown Night initially by up and coming star like BRB, a fast rising musical artiste before the tempo of the event changed. It then switched into more serious entertainment with Tunde Ednut taking the stage and much more popular names like Tuface Idibia, Dbanj, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, MI, Burma Boy, Ice Prince, Brymo, Dr. Sid, Durella, Jessy Jagz and many others setting the event in full swing.
The high point of the night which was driven by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) included spectacular fireworks, a specially created audio midnight countdown, a 20-minute live show anchored from the rooftop of Avenue Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the use of a lazer beam, water projection display and pyrotechnics and lighting effects to signify the commencement of the New Year.
According to Governor Fashola, the Lagos Countdown was conceived to create an end of year cross-over tradition that will engage citizens of the state, tourists and investors throughout the end of year holiday season.
“This year, Lagos State will be among many global cities and states that will be under much focus and attention as we march on from 31st December, 2012, into the New Year. It would be a new year unlike any before, as we will be celebrating in Lagos with the whole of the world participating with us.”
This much was corroborated by Managing Director of LASAA, George Noah, when he said “the intent for hosting the event was to put Lagos on the global tourism map in the league of cities as New York, London, Sydney, Paris, Los Angeles and other major destinations that will be commemorating the cross-over into the year 2013 in spectacular ways.” His point was given more impetus when he added that “what the agency is doing is to leverage on the proposition of Lagos being a premium destination for business and leisure.”
Typical of fans of night life, the Bar Beach end of the Eko Atlantic City had turned a beehive of activities from the early hours of the evening, as thousands of people, including domestic and foreign tourists, thronged the venue in anticipation of the kick-off of the event.
According to information made available by organisers of the event, over 50,000 people converged on the Eko Atlantic City for the event to welcome the New Year, even as millions of people experienced the event via coverage by live broadcast.
The show, however, came with some sacrifices, as road users were restricted on the Adeola Odeku junction along Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, during the event. This, according to the organisers, was to accommodate the mammoth crowd expected at the event.
The maiden edition of the Lagos Countdown sponsored by GT Bank, Indomie Noodles, Avenue Suites, DStv, Pepsi and several other corporate organisations kicked off with series of events on December 20, 2012, with a Festival of Lights heralding the holiday season with the ‘switching-on’ of thousands of decorative lights to light up the entire stretch of the Marina through Ahmadu Bello Way and the opening of the Family Fun Park which saw a lot of children enjoying various entertainment shows, including games and activities such as bouncy castles, toys, swings, outdoor rains and continued with the opening of the food and beverage stands which ran from December 20 to January 1, 2013.
cool stuff (:
ReplyDeleteshout out to Lagos state, you guyz rock!!
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