By Ishola Balogun
Yuletide is here again with all its signs. The Lagos Street Party, a two-day street carnival, kicks off today on Victoria Island with 500,000 fun-makers converging to herald the advent of Yuletide.

Already, White Stars, an entertainment firm, has wrapped up “The Lagos Street Party (TLSP)” for residents to have fun and relax in spite of the country’s economic conditions. Unlike One Lagos Fiesta conceived and driven by the state government, the street carnival, which kicks off today and ends tomorrow, is purely a private initiative. Though with support from the state government, White Stars came up with the initiative to enable residents enjoy Yuletide with some amusement. Executive Director of White Stars, Mr. Akin Akinyelure explained that the street carnival “is to provide a platform for the residents to relax and enjoy themselves within two days.” He added that it would indeed offer real entertainment, live music, diverse cuisine and creative indigenous games in a beautiful environment.

The first day, according to him, will feature colourful cultural parades, displays, acrobatic acts and live performances by several musicians from Nigeria. He named some musicians that would play at the party to include Olamide, Phyno, MI Abaga, Kaffy and Ice Prince while some of the DJs are Humblesmith DJ Spinall, and DJ Lambo. Akinyelure, assured that the street carnival would truly be two days of amusement and fun. He also noted that the organisers would not limit the artistes “to a particular number. Several artistes will perform at the two-day party. While some will perform briefly, others may perform for a longer period.”

The carnival will not leave any category of people behind, according to White Stars director. He said that there “is provision for senior citizens and elder statesmen at the carnival. We are planning something special for them in terms of high life music to make them relax and enjoy themselves within the two days.”

Besides entertaining and fun-making, the carnival offers upcoming artisans and tradesmen opportunity to exhibit their skills and talent, which Akinyelure said, fit into the agenda of the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. Therefore, there will be a mini exhibition section at the carnival,

The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said: “it is a gain of Lagos brand campaign, launched to showcase the state’s potentials for tourism, arts and entertainment globally.”

Ayorinde explained the significance of the street carnival, which he said, at least one million fun lovers across the state “are expected to attend. It is a mega street carnival to welcome Yuletide in an unusual way. It will also kick-start series of festivities lined up to celebrate Yuletide into New Year.”

One daily basis, the commissioner said at least 500,000 persons “are expected each day, thus bringing the number of participants to one million. It will hold from mid-day to 12 midnight between December 3 and 4, 2016. The carnival will witness local and foreign visitors.” Contrary to what some people think, he said, it will not kill other carnivals like One Lagos Fiesta, but complement them.

Ayorinde, equally, cited the gain of Light-up Lagos, which he said, gave residents confidence “to drive, even walk anytime. Under the Ambode administration, almost all highways, inner-city roads and streets have been lit. Aside, security operatives patrol all nooks and crannies of the state day and night. So, we have nothing to fear at all. We have made adequate security arrangement.”

The commissioner explained that the street carnival “is in line with Ambode’s initiative to use entertainment in driving the state economy and market the state’s potentials to domestic and foreign investors,” who he said, would contribute meaningfully towards making Lagos Africa’s model megacity.

Traffic diversion

However, the street carnival will lead the closure of Ahmadu Bello Way, a major road on Victoria Island. Similarly, Tiamiyu Savage, Akin Adesola and Bishop Oluwole will be cordoned off on December 3 and December 4. But Ayorinde said alternative routes would be created for motorists.

Early this week, the Acting Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olarenwaju Elegushi allayed fear and panic the street carnival “has generated,” noting that businesses “do not have to close down because of the carnival.” Elegushi assured that adequate arrangement “has been made to ensure traffic flows with ease.”

Elegushi, also gave details of roads and streets, which he said, would be affected by the street carnival. He said the whole stretch of Ahmadu Bello Way would be closed to vehicular movement.

Likewise, Tiamiyu Savage, Akin Adesola and Bishop Oluwole would consequently be condoned off.

Elegushi noted that those returning to Ahmadu Bello “will use Akin Adesola from where they could connect to Falomo. Also, those going to Falomo will use Akin Adesola to connect Falomo Bridge through Saka Tinubu through Karimu Kotun and Olosa Street,” where he said, traffic operatives “have been stationed to ensure traffic flows.