With
a list that included Tuface, Tiwa Savage and Davido, the first Lagos
Countdown party held at the Bar Beach on New Year’s Eve provided fun for
residents, writes ADEOLA BALOGUN
Lagosians
had maximum fun at the first ever Lagos Crossover concert, organised on
Monday night by the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency.
It
was a question of which other artiste was not there and from 8pm till
3.30am the following day when the last artiste dropped the microphone,
there was no dull moment.
The
roll call of acts who entertained the crowd included Tuface, EME
(featuring Banky W), Skales, Niyola, Tiwa Savage, D’Prince, Choc Boyz
(featuring MI), Ice Prince, Jesse Jagz, Burna Boy, Inyanya, Omawumi,
Kel, Durella, JJC, Darey, Davido, W4, Eva, Solid Star, Olamide, Ozzy
Bosco aka Wonder Kid, Seyi Shay, Ajebutter, Ras, 2012 Star Quest
winners, Crystals and a host of others.
No doubt, some of the artistes turned out to be very spectacular in their performances on the stage.
Omawunmi chose to be different as she came on stage with a band instead of miming to her CD.
She
entertained the crowd with some of her popular numbers like If you ask
me (Na who I go ask), Thank God and Bottom Belle. And the crowd cheered
her and asked for more even when she dropped the microphone.
Other crowd pullers of the night included Olamide, Davido, Darey, Inyanya, Tiwa Savage and Ozzy Bosco.
But
Tuface was the biggest of them all in the night. He serenaded the
cheering crowd for almost one hour and capped his performance with the
number, Implication, which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The
party, which took place on some portions of the newly-reclaimed Eko
Atlantic City and Bar Beach, was put together by LASAA. According to the
agency, the event was conceived to create an end of year crossover
tradition that would engage citizens of the state and visitors
throughout the end of year holiday season.
The
event was in form of that witnessed in major cities of the world like
Time Square, New York and Trafalgar Square, London. It was a night of
lights music, fireworks, pyrotechnics and lighting effects to signify
the commencement of the New Year.
The
beautifully decorated Ahmadu Bello Way, down to the Marina, was a sight
to behold and made nightlife very tempting once again.
The
official venue of the night event started from the Bishop Oluwole
junction, where a city gate was erected, up to the Eko Atlantic City
office. The crowd huge that thronged the party was comfortably seated
along the stretch with gigantic screens mounted at every corner of the
venue.
The
massive stage erected for performances was fitted with hi-tech
lightings that turned the skyline into a very bright spectacle. The
high-decibel speakers used for the night were earthshaking and
reverberated throughout the island.
The
scenic beauty of the Atlantic Ocean was so spectacular that night.
Attention shifted to the seaside at the countdown to the New Year
exactly at 12am as the whole place was lit up in fireworks. For about 45
minutes, the skyline was aglow as scores of fireworks were launched
from the sandy beach and the sea.
Saturday
PUNCH learnt that experts were flown in for the spectacular fireworks
with laser beam and water projection display. And the excited crowd
erupted in a ‘Happy New Year’ chorus as they ushered in 2013 with almost
everyone using their smart phones to record the scene for posterity.
The
security arrangement for the event venue was watertight. All
participants who had tickets were thoroughly frisked with metal
detectors before being allowed into the venue by security men.
Men
of the Nigerian Police Force mounted a motorised armoured vehicle which
patrolled the venue throughout the duration of the party. And among the
crowd were armed policemen who monitored the goings on. And throughout,
there was no incident of any kind despite the huge attendance at the
venue.
Very
significant was the presence of children at the party. Some families
brought their children to share in the fun at the beach side.
A
few years back, it was unthinkable to find kids at an elaborate open
air show, but the countdown show was a different set up as children
joined their parents to savour the colourful night of glamour and
colour.
Not
only children were present: Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos was not left out
as he came to have fun. So, also were top government functionaries such
as the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Adesegun Ogunlewe and the
Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola
Arthur-Worrey.
Some
local government chiefs present included Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan and Mr.
Abayomi Daramola of Ejigbo and Iru/Victoria Island local government
areas respectively.
Both
LG bosses attributed the peaceful atmosphere at the party to the huge
investment of the state on security. Both men were not surprised at the
presence of little children at such a big street party.
“We
need a secure environment to hold an event like this,” says Bamigbetan.
“The point is that Lagos State has made a huge investment in security
and you can see how everybody is relaxed. For the past four years now,
the state Security Trust Fund has invested a lot of resources on
security. Nightlife has come back to Lagos as a result of this.
“I’m
not surprised at what we are witnessing here tonight. Nowadays people
are not afraid even to drive back to their homes as late as 2, 3am.
People can afford to bring along their children because of a sense of
security,” adds Daramola.
Punch Nigeria
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