By OLASUNKANMI AKONI & DOTUN IBIWOYE

IN the last five years, it has become a tradition for the Lagos State Government to organize the Black Heritage Festival to celebrate the rich culture of the state in particular and Africa in general.

Last Sunday, amid heavy downpour, Governor Babatunde Fashola led thousands of residents, tourists, and foreign investors among other fun seekers to participate in the 2014 and  fifth edition of the Annual Lagos Heritage Week, which was held at Boat Regatta, Lagos.

Also at the colourful festival were government functionaries, tourists, investors and fun seekers from Brazil, United States of America, Mexico, England, South- Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana among others.

Cultural troupes from the various coastal communities of the state were on hand to showcase their cultural heritage. Large fishing boats, ferries, water lightening, barges and other marine vessels were on display depicting their social, cultural and traditional folklore. Swimmers of the Lagos Water Regatta were also not left out as they displayed  their swimming skills, to the admiration of the crowd.

In spite the heavy down pour, the boat regatta was held amid pomp and ceremony before it was suspended due to the increasing water waves and wind to prevent any mishap.
Since the state government commenced the celebration of the one week heritage festival, the event has continuously received world attention, with several African countries visiting the state to study the organisers and replicate it in their country’s upcoming festival.

Among the events held were  Boat Regatta at the Regatta Village on Easter Sunday, which was introduced in 2012, to serve as exhibition stand, viewing centre for all the activities, relaxation spot and others.
Other events include drama, dance, exhibitions, symposium, music and street carnival.

Held at the lagoon side, the colourful event afforded several communities especially those from the riverine areas of the state the opportunity to showcase their rich cultural heritage.
Communities with their boats all decorated with different colours, floated on the water to entertain the enthusiastic crowd who intermittently cheered as they paddled their canoes in different styles.

The Lagos Regatta is a private sector initiative supported by the state government as a part of the Black Heritage Week event

The Regatta consisted of large fishing boats, ferries, water lightening, barges and other marine vessels each depicting the social, cultural, traditional folklore and occupational aspects of the Lagos people. Governor Fashola, once said that the regatta was a decision of the government to expand, as well as showcase, the cultural heritage of the state.

“The regatta was conceived as part of activities for the celebration of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival which serves as a platform for us to rejuvenate our socio cultural values in the state.

“The Regatta, on its own, has become a social asset, a renaissance of a greater 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 tourists’ delight,” Fashola stated.

The festival, a week long activities started with a media briefing at Freedom Park, Broad Street, where once a notorious colonial prison was and which had been turned into tourist centre through the state government’s initiative.

The State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, added that  the hosting of the event was part of the government’s determination to preserve the cultural heritage of Lagos residents.

Holloway said the festival would be of immense economic benefit to residents and also provide a source of relaxation for residents of the state and foreigners alike.
According to him, Lagos State is home to over 21 million people and the event gives participants the opportunity to unwind and have fun in a secured environment.

Holloway added that the annual event which has come to stay would further empower the youths, pointing out that materials for the week-long festival were being sourced locally. The commissioner maintained that the festival would also provide an avenue for people of different strata to meet and relax, reiterating that the present administration’s resolve to make Lagos the preferred destination of business and tourism and stressed that government could not do it alone.

Social responsibilities
Holloway, therefore, called on sponsors from the organized private sector to invest in the event as part of their social responsibilities to the state and its people.
Subsequently, Street Carnival is often held at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, Onikan, Lagos Island, to round off the celebration.

Last Sunday was no exception as the whole TBS was agog with dignitaries across the globe, led by Fashola and his state Executive Council members to mark this year celebration.

TBS was filled to the brim on Easter Monday for the grand finale of the week long activities, From the National Museum, Onikan, the carnival kicked off with six kilometer children walk to Ikoyi where the adults kicked started their nine kilometer parade.

Vehicular movement was restricted within Lagos Island as participants displayed various creative designs and colourful costumes. Thousands of children from schools in the state took their turn in the procession as they brought out creativity through their choice of costumes.