The I Love Lagos Initiative has unveiled a 14-day festive programme, tagged I Love Lagos Initiative Detty December, aimed at celebrating Lagos State’s culture, heritage, entertainment industry and entrepreneurial spirit during the festive season.
Conceived by the initiative’s Founder and Creative Director, Ashifat Saheed Oluwanisola, the programme is designed to bring together residents, tourists, entrepreneurs, entertainers, creatives, corporate organisations and other stakeholders for a series of cultural, social and business activities.
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According to the organisers, the initiative seeks to make the festive season more than an entertainment experience by promoting tourism, youth empowerment, job creation, peaceful coexistence and economic participation.
Lagos, widely regarded as Nigeria’s commercial and entertainment hub, is expected to serve as the focal point for activities celebrating the city’s diversity, creativity and business potential.
The programme will feature several activities, including the “Billiard King” I Love Lagos Snooker Championship, I Love Lagos Beauty Pageant, I Love Lagos AFROHIPHOP Talent Hunt, I Love Lagos Global Citizen Awards and I Love Lagos Fashion Show.
Other highlights include the I Love Lagos Detty December Block Party, an empowerment programme, a dinner and additional cultural and entertainment activities.
The organisers also disclosed plans to pursue a Guinness World Records milestone through one of the programme’s activities. However, details of the proposed record attempt were not provided in the announcement.
The AFROHIPHOP Talent Hunt is expected to offer emerging Nigerian musicians and young performers an opportunity to showcase their creativity through original songs celebrating Lagos and its people.
Contestants are required to submit a three-to-five-minute video song titled I Love Lagos. The entry should highlight the distinctive features of Lagos State, its contribution to national unity and the contestant’s appreciation of the city.
The beauty pageant will celebrate beauty, intelligence, confidence and cultural representation, while seeking to empower young women to serve as ambassadors for Lagos.
Another major feature of the initiative is the I Love Lagos Global Citizen Awards, which will recognise individuals and organisations whose contributions have supported the state’s economic growth, unity, development and public image.
The organisers said the awards would highlight people and institutions helping to strengthen Lagos’ reputation locally and internationally.
The programme is also expected to provide opportunities for small businesses, vendors, fashion designers, hospitality operators, entertainers, tourism practitioners, transport operators and other participants in the formal and informal economy.
By attracting residents and visitors to its activities, the initiative hopes to create additional business opportunities and promote Lagos as a destination for tourism, investment, entertainment and cultural experiences.
The I Love Lagos Initiative Detty December Block Party is designed to bring together people from different backgrounds through music, entertainment and social activities.
According to the organisers, local and international star artistes are expected to perform at the grand finale.
The event will use music, sports, fashion, culture and entrepreneurship as platforms for encouraging interaction and peaceful coexistence among Lagosians and visitors.
The organisers have called on government institutions, corporate organisations, entrepreneurs, media organisations, tourism stakeholders, entertainment companies, community leaders and members of the public to support the programme through endorsements, media partnerships and sponsorship.
The initiative is positioned as a celebration of Lagos’ resilience, creativity, diversity and ambition, with the organisers inviting Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, international visitors, tourists, investors and entertainment enthusiasts to participate.
They said the programme would offer opportunities for networking, talent discovery, cultural appreciation and business engagement throughout the 14-day celebration.
Further information about participation, sponsorship and partnership opportunities is available on the initiative’s website, www.ilovelagos.com.ng.
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The organisers have adopted the slogan: “Lagos: Our City. Our Pride. Our Future.”
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
