Lagos State is set to experience a flurry of activities towards the end of the year that will stamp its authority as the choice tourist destination in December.
During the visit of a delegation from the organisers of the planned event to the Ministry on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka said that she is excited and anticipatory of the good development.
She said that it is an idea whose time has come and that the state government is excited about it and would collaborate with the organisers to bring it to fruition
Earlier, Managing Director of Chain Reactions Africa, Mr. Israel Jaiye Opayemi said the team is on a working visit to the Ministry to discuss the plan for the first-of-its-kind Shopping Festival in Nigeria to be held between the 8th and 15th December in the state.
According to Opayemi, who is also leader of the delegation, the idea is to keep Lagos open for business, entertainment and tourism for 24 hours and seven days. Lagos city, he explained, would be awakened for entertainment and commerce, which is expected to boost employment and spike economic growth in the state as over 1,000 merchants would participate in the event.
The targeted audience include international and local tourists, luxury brands, designer brands and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
“The festival is billed to be held in different venues such as Eko Atlantic, Tafawa Balewa Square, Ikeja City Mall, Palms Shopping Mall and Festival Mall, amongst others simultaneously for seven days non-stop. Lagos will be awake 24/7. There will also be music by big musical brands like Wizkid, Asa and Lagbaja, among others to add colour and glamour to the event”, Opayemi said.
He also said that other attractions during the week-long programme include musical concerts, parties, fashion shows, fireworks, food court and film shows.
