The 2015 Lagos Black Heritage Festival was the last by the current Lagos State administration.
It was another opportunity for the people of Lagos to celebrate their culture, creativity and generally have fun. The event has become permanent in the annual calendar of tourism events in the state and has begun to draw tourists both locally and internationally.
Key events were held in an old colonial prison now transformed into a place for the celebration of creativity- Freedom Park, Marina.
This year’s creative activities focused on drama as the central theme. Outside the Freedom Park were activities that attracted the interest of many people.
The Miss Carnival Beauty Pageant (Agbeke Eko) was an exciting, keenly contested event at the Glover Hall, Marina. It was an event that required both knowledge of tradition, brilliance and beauty. At the end of the contest, Damilola Edwards emerged the winner of the pageant. She was distinct in her choice of costume. That is the the costume of Yeye Osun. She also had stage presence and carriage. She won the Carnival Queen for 2015 and went home with a cash price of 1.5m naira and a brand new car.
The first runner-up was Tobi Philips and the second runner-up was Akinrimade Opemipo.
This year’s Lagos Boat Regatta was fun filled and exciting. Being the sixth edition, it was a specially packaged annual water-based festival and the valedictory session for Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola.
The event is a cultural, sporting and recreation activity to exhibit the diverse functions of the boat as put in use from community to community.
Colourful boats were on parade to the delight of the guests. It was fun all the way, watching boats of various sizes, shapes, colours and types on the waterways.
All the floats consisted of large fishing boats, yatches, ferries and other marine vehicles adorned to depict cultural, social and folklores as well as the occupational aspects of the people of Lagos.
Different clubs, men of the Nigeria Police Force, organisations, associations and local governments took turns to show off their skills. They rode on creeks around, Victoria Island, Ikoyi and the Lagos Island.
Various acrobatic displays by members of the Jet Ski Club became the high point of the event when their ski divers pulled a stunt. They were pushed above by a gush of water. It was spectacular and everyone fought to have a glimpse of the show. It was an occasion many had looked forward to and they came in their numbers to watch the displays by various groups.
There was also the paddled canoe racing competition and male and female competitions.
Parents who came with their children were assured that their kids would be taken care of. A portion of the venue was turned into a mini-amusement park where they played different games according to their age groups. Exciting games and comedies kept the children occupied.
The most decorated boat won the competition and went home with the grand trophy and other gifts.
Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Jawando, said the event was scheduled to hold on Easter Sunday as is done annually, but was rescheduled due to the recent elections.
He said the event was to celebrate the aquatic splendour of Lagos State in recognition of Lagos being surrounded by the ocean and lagoon and the beautiful role water plays in the socio-economic lives of the people of Lagos.
With the participation of other West African states of Togo and Ghana in this year’s competition, the Lagos Water Regatta is gaining international and national recognition.
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