DETTY DECEMBER: LAGOS ENGAGES TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS FOR SEAMLESS DECEMBER FESTIVITIES (PHOTOS)
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By: Sefiu Ajape
In preparation for the annual influx of visitors and heightened social activities associated with the Yuletide and end-of-year season, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture on Thursday, held a stakeholders’ engagement Summit aimed at ensuring a hitch-free and well-coordinated December across the State.
The engagement Summit, held at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, brought together key players from the hospitality, entertainment, events, transportation, and security sectors to deliberate on strategies for managing the expected surge in tourism-related activities during the festive period.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the engagement forms part of deliberate efforts to ensure a smooth, well-coordinated, and hitch-free celebration as the State prepares for increased visitor traffic and multiple social activities associated with the Yuletide and year-end festivities.
Highlighting the importance of the theme, “Unlocking the Potentials and Opportunities of Lagos Tourism: Collaboration and Partnership for a Greater Lagos,” the Commissioner noted that the State has, over the years, developed various initiatives to explore new and sustainable tourism opportunities through strategic partnerships.
“The theme for today’s gathering captures the core of our collective mandate. The future of tourism in Lagos depends on strong alliances, shared responsibilities, and a unified commitment to innovation, sustainability, and destination development.”
She explained that the purpose of the Summit is to deepen partnerships across the tourism, entertainment, and hospitality value chains, enhance service delivery, and boost Lagos’ competitiveness as a top destination.
“Lagos is blessed with immense tourism value. It is home to people from across Nigeria and the world, creating a rich cultural mosaic celebrated through festivals, events, arts, cuisine, and entertainment. The continued positioning of Lagos as a top international destination for leisure, business, and cultural experience is a collective effort, and your roles are indispensable,” she said.
The Commissioner added that the event reflects the Lagos State Government’s commitment to positioning the State as a leading, globally competitive tourism destination, stressing that an enabling environment has been provided to support investment, innovation, and global best practices.
According to her, “Today’s conversations are designed to generate practical insights that will assist in enhancing our infrastructure, safety, strengthening regulatory frameworks, elevating service standards, and improving promotional strategies.
“These insights are critical as Lagos continues to attract growing local and international interest. We must ensure that our systems are efficient, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of a dynamic global tourism industry.”
In his presentation, the Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola, who was represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Jegede, stated that the safety of fun seekers during December and beyond is of paramount importance to the commission, noting that it has continuously engaged critical stakeholders to ensure adherence to safety standards.
While emphasizing emergency response measures, he said, “Event organizers are required to have a functional emergency response plan, which includes: presence of trained safety marshals, availability of functional ambulance on site and or retainer, fire fighting equipment as well as clear emergency exits and evacuation routes.”
He added that the commission would embark on pre-event safety audits, deploy tourism safety marshals to events, and engage communities and the public to ensure increased safety measures aimed at preventing unwanted occurrences and crowd-related incidents during the December celebrations.
Also speaking at the Summit, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and his counterpart in Waterfront Development, Mr. Dayo Alebiosu, assured residents and visitors of a memorable and seamless festive experience, promising several initiatives to make the season refreshing and enjoyable.
Similarly, the General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, assured that the agency would deploy over 2,000 officers across Lagos roads, particularly major routes on the Island, Lekki-Epe, Victoria Island, and Ajah.
“I am giving the assurance that those who are coming from the diaspora have seamless mobility during the December period,” he said.
Panelists took turns to discuss issues around traffic management, waterfront and beach tourism, hospitality, and the business of tourism in Lagos. They all agreed that concerted efforts must be made to synergize operations during the December period in order to optimally unlock the potentials and opportunities therein.
Others, including the Lagos Ferry Service (LAGFERRY), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), called for strict compliance at all levels to actualize the State’s vision for a seamless and memorable December.
Other key players from the hospitality, entertainment, and events sectors present at the engagement included Keke Hammond (COO, Flytime Promotions), Femi Adebayo (Renowned Nollywood Actor/Producer), Dare Art Alade (Co-Founder, Livespot Entertainment), Bizzle Osikoya (Co-Founder, Plug Entertainment), Adedayo Ayoade (Founder, Gbedu Entertainment), Toyosi Etim-Effiong (CEO, That Good Media), Mr. Bayo Adedeji (CEO, Wakanow), Mr. Richard Shittu (CEO, Koko Beach Hotel and Resorts), Mr. Jide Babatunde (Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS), Sasha P (Nigerian Rapper & Musician), Mr. Chike Ogeah (MD, Marriott Hotel), and Mrs. Morenike George-Taylor (President, Restaurants, Cafes, Bars and Club Association).
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, thanked the governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his unwavering support toward strengthening the tourism sector and for providing the enabling environment that makes such strategic engagements possible.
She added by appreciating all stakeholders for their participation and contributions.
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