L-R: Benson-Awoyinka, Aregbe, Atekoja and Segun Ogundeji at the event

Lagos State government has assured that it would put adequate  security measures in place to forestall any form of violence at the designated venues for the 2024 Greater Lagos Fiesta countdown.

The state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture,Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who disclosed this during a press conference in Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday, confirmed that over 25,000 participants are expected the fiesta.

Benson-Awoyinka also assured that the state government has put adequate measures in place to check all forms of violent activities during the three-day fiesta, which commences from December 29th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024.

She added: “We have put a lot in place for security. We are working actively with all security apparatus of the state, the Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence, LASTMA Neighbourhood Watch, among other security operators in the state.

“We will ensure that the entire space is secure, we will ensure that our children are well taken care of and secure as well.

‘’The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta has become an annual tradition, a celebration of music, entertainment, and the vibrant spirit of Lagos. This year, we are taking fiesta to a whole new level, with three days of non-stop excitement from December 29th, 2023, to January 1st, 2024.

‘’We are intentional in our focus of deliberately positioning Lagos State to favourably compete with developed cities of the world in terms of hosting tourism and entertainment events.’’

According to the commissioner, “The annual fiesta has over the years proven to be a very engaging and mind-blowing event, providing fun activities and entertainment for Lagos residents in their various localities across the five divisions of the state IBILE (Ikorodu, Badagry, lkeja, Lagos and Epe).

 ‘’As a matter of fact, the Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta has been serving the purpose of discovering and nurturing new talents, exposing young talented entertainers to bigger platforms while also serving as a mechanism for curbing youth restiveness that often characterizes the festive period.

’The three-day event, apart from showcasing the cultural activities and nurturing up-coming talented youngsters in the entertainment and creative industry, the entertainment show will also positively impact the state’s economy through massive sales of goods and services to thousands of fun and entertainment lovers throughout the duration of the event.

‘’The 2023 edition of Lagos

Countdown Greater Lagos Fiesta will feature fireworks, live music concerts, comedy, and cultural performances across the five 1BILE divisions of the state namely: Ikorodu, Badagry, lkeja, Lagos and Epe.’’

The annual end-of-the-year event, according to Benson-Awoyinka, being the first in the second term in office of the governor, will provide a non-stop 72-hour entertainment show including comedy, cultural performances, children’s corner, and all other entertainment components usually infused into the fiesta.

‘’The Lagos Countdown 2024 #Greater Lagos Fiesta is going to be a fantastic way to bid farewell to the Year 2023 and welcome the new one, Year 2024, with a bang. We have lined up an incredible array of music stars who will grace the stage and thrill all fun-lovers from Badagry to Epe, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Ikeja featuring homegrown talents to international sensations, the best of Afro Beats, Highlife,Juju and Fuji,’’ she added.