Lagos On World Stage With Jazz Festival

SAN FRANCISCO, May 01, (THEWILL) – Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has revealed that the Lagos International Jazz concert held at the Lagos House, Ikeja, has made the state Africa’s capital of arts, entertainment and tourism.

Ambode spoke at the 2016 International Jazz Day (IJD), which attracted local and international jazz artistes was part of efforts to join the rest of the world, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to celebrate the day.

Ambode disclosed that April 30 has been designated as the International Jazz Day and that Lagos being the centre of excellence is using the platform to promote arts and entertainment.

“This musical show is a continuation of our promise to Lagosians that we will use tourism, hospitality, entertainment and the arts as well as sports to create jobs and opportunities for our people and to position Lagos State as a destination with rich entertainment content,” he said.

“We also want to use today’s event to identify with every musician here today, from far and near and to use their God-given talents and creativity to announce to the world that Lagos is the true capital of arts and entertainment in Africa and that Lagos is in tune with the rest of the world.

“The light up Lagos project and huge investment in security machinery, which has brought down crime rate by 65 percent, is part of efforts to create a 24-hour economy and the template of a city that does not sleep and with government that does not slumber either.”

Dignitaries who graced the concert include former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I; Olusegun Osoba; Gbenga Ashafa; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Femi Adeniyi Williams; Rtd justice of Supreme Court, George Oguntade, and others.

Story by David Oputah