… 200 international tourists from 11 countries expected

By Jimoh Babatunde

The streets of Lagos Island will come alive with a vibrant carnival procession, weekend, as Lagos State Government is set to hold the maiden edition of a pan-African carnival, ‘Afropolis’, for the promotion of black cultural heritage, creativity and innovation.

The Afropolis Lagos Festival with the theme “Within New Myth”, is a collaboration between QDance Centre and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Speaking ahead of the event which kicks off Saturday at J.Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, located around the Onikan suburb of Lagos, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said Afropolis is not just an event; “it is a celebration of our identity, a showcase of our talents, and a testament to the power of creativity to unite and inspire.”

She added “As we prepare to embark on this extraordinary creative journey, I am filled with pride and convinced that the rich cultural heritage and creative spirit that defines Lagos metropolis and our lovely nation will further be projected for this period of nine days.”

“Afropolis is not just an event; it is a celebration of our identity, a showcase of our talents, and a testament to the power of creativity to unite and inspire. From October 26th to November 3rd, Lagos will become the epicentre of African creativity, welcoming artists, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond.”

“The streets of Lagos Island will come alive with a vibrant carnival procession, embodying the spirit and energy of our people. The day will culminate in the Afropolis G.A.V.E (Global African Vibez Exchange), a testament to our commitment to fostering international collaborations.

She added that the Lagos Island procession will start from Epetedo and moves out into Afropolis with carnival groups, band boys and guests.”

Benson-Awoyinka explained that the event is a celebration of Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world, a city that continues to lead in various creative sectors such as music, fashion, gaming, tech, design, film, dance, AI, and research.
“To our young talents who are making significant strides on the global stage, Afropolis is your stage to shine. To our local and international visitors, prepare to be immersed in an unparalleled celebration of African creativity and innovation.
“As we launch Afropolis 2024, we are not just opening a festival; we are opening doors to new possibilities, fostering connections that transcend borders, and showcasing the incredible potential of our creative industries to drive economic growth and cultural exchange.
“I invite all Lagosians, Nigerians, and our international friends to join us in this celebration. Let us come together to experience the magic of Afropolis, to be inspired, to create, and to reinforce Lagos’ position as a global creative powerhouse.”

Listing the highlight of some of the remarkable activities already scheduled for the creative event, the commissioner said October 28th marks a historic moment with the official opening of the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. “We are privileged to have Mr. Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu led us on a tour of this significant cultural landmark.
“Throughout the festival, we will host daily film programs, interactive art installations, and performances that span the spectrum of African creativity – from traditional to contemporary, from dance to music, from visual arts to technology.
“Our closing weekend will feature an International Performance Weekend, showcasing the incredible talents of our Afropolis Tribe of 2024, followed by a grand finale Afro House and EDM Rave on November 3rd.

Mr Gbenga Omotosho, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, noted that the festival was of paramount importance to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, considering its numerous benefits to the state and individuals in general.

The founder of QDance Centre, Qudus Onikeku, described the festival as an African diaspora-focused festival.

He said 200 artistes and tourists from over 11 countries including South Africa, Togo, Benin Republic, France, U.S., Ghana, Netherlands, Morocco, Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil would participate in the festival.

According to him, the festival will be celebrating the rich cultural heritage, creativity and innovation of Lagos state.

“We are expecting 200 international tourists from 11 countries to participate in this festival. Over 20,000 local and international tourists are expected.

“Specifically, these people will be coming from Dakar, Cotonou, Lomé, Johannesburg, Marrakech, Addis Ababa, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Cartagena, Saint Anne, New York and Florida.

“You will also have artistes from Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Asaba and more. We will have a large gathering of artistes, creators, technologists, innovators and tourists, coming to be part of Lagos landscape for nine days.