Lagos State Government in conjunction with various stakeholders ushered in year 2015 with pomp and pageantry through Lagos countdown organized by the state signage and advertisement agency (LASAA).
Lagosians in their thousands thronged the Lagos Countdown, an initiative of the Lagos State Government Mr. Babatunde Fashola where they joined their governor, celebrated and ushered in the New Year.
As the clock hit 12 midnight jubilation rent the atmosphere in Lagos from Epe, through the Mainland part of the state like Surulere to the suburbs.
Other residents of Lagos State who could not make it to the Bar Beach in Victoria Island, venue of the Lagos Countdown looked into the sky in bemused amazement as the dark sky lit up in multiple colours of shimmering flakes of decoration.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola overwhelmed with the turn out of the residents to user in the New Year expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the corporate organizations who partnered with the Lagos State to make the 2014 Lagos Countdown a success.
He said their supports were of immense contribution to the success of the countdown.
Governor Fashola shower praises on LASAA and all the sponsors of the countdown for a hitch free crossover event and for making the 2014 Lagos Countdown a success.
Fashola rated the standard of the countdown very high, saying it had international standard and compared with any other being held in developed countries.
He said: “When we started this Countdown idea, it was meant to be a Lagos state government project, but these partners came as support and made so much happen as we have it now.”
Fashola who also commended Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu for his support noted that: “This will be my last speech as the Lagos State Governor at the Countdown Festival, and I recall how this project was conceptualized, and I am happy to have fulfilled a Countdown of this quality, thanks to everyone who have made this possible.”
Fashola pointed out that the Lagos Countdown event is modeled after crossover celebrations witnessed in major cities of the world like Time Square, in New York, Trafalgar Square, in London and other major cities in the world, the initiative is intended to further enhance the tourism drive of the Lagos state government amongst other things.
Those who performed at the event include Sir Victor Owaifo, Sir Shina Peters, Daddy Showkey flanked by 2face, Banky W, Omawunmi, Olamide, Phyno, Reminisce and many others.
Excitedly, 2face Idibia put up a performance that amazed the audience, using his music as a crusade for, ‘Vote-No-Fight’ campaign, while urging the youths to shun violence in the forthcoming elections. “I wish that in this 2015, Nigerians will vote and not fight,” he said, as he was being cheered by the audience.
In the same vein, Banky W, who also rendered a breathtaking performance, featuring energetic dancers, prayed that, “The best of 2014 be the worst of 2015.”
The event to user in the New Year was also graced by great personalities including the richest man in Africa Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Nigerian Breweries boss, Kufre Ekanem, among others.
