BY DANIEL ETEGHE

Lagos State government’s intention to use the annual Black Heritage festival to boost tourism  is yielding fruits as the boat regatta held last  week drew tourists from far and near.

During the event that took place at the Civic Centre, Lekki and Falomo Waterfront, Ikoyi, residents and tourists alike were treated to the best of water display of culture, tradition and aquatic splendour.

Large boats  colourfully decorated  adorned the water ways. The men in the boats later danced and rowed to show agility and their prowess in handling water sports.

The Lagos State water regatta is water based cultural sporting and recreational activities put together to show diverse functions of the boat in the yesteryears, from community to community.

The fiesta featured a parade of decorated floats on the creeks around Ikoyi and Victoria Island with the parade consisting of large fishing boats, ferries, barges and other marine vessels depicting social cultural tradition, folklores and occupational aspects of the people of Lagos.

A major highlight of this year’s edition is the ‘Regatta Village’, which consists of exhibition stands, viewing centres where all the activities on water  were for inspection.

The kiddies Fun Park and other fun activities for the children were equally a plus for the event as the children were treated with the best of comedy and music amidst lot to eat and drink.

Speaking at the event, Governor Babatunde Fashola said the regatta resulted from the government’s decision to expand, as well as showcase, the cultural heritage of the state.

“The Regatta, no doubt, has become  a renaissance of  part of the culture of Lagosians. This administration is poised to exploit the commercial essence of its content by heightening the interest of corporate organisations here in Lagos and around the country in promoting it into tourist’s delight. Our ultimate goal is to register the Lagos Water Regatta in the map of world tourist’s destinations,” he said.

He added “For us here in Lagos, it is not just  fun but a display of tradition of our ancestors, how they survived on the waterways. It means a lot to us, our drainage system, which is why we are intolerant of people who degrade it and dump refuse in it.”

“Anyone who threatens it threatens our means of transport and waterways and we would not allow that. It is also our source of seafood as well,” Fashola said.