BY TAIYE OLAYEMI and ADERONKE OJEDIRAN

Lagos is set to host no fewer than 200 international tourists from 11 countries for the maiden edition of Afropolis Lagos Festival, slated to hold from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3.

Mr Qudus Onikeku, the festival initiator, disclosed this during a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Afropolis Lagos Festival with the theme ?Within New Myth?, is a collaboration between QDance Centre and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Onikeku, who is the founder of QDance Centre, described the festival as an African diaspora-focused festival.

He said 200 artistes and tourists from over 11 countries including South Africa, Togo, Benin Republic, France, U.S., Ghana, Netherlands, Morocco, Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil would participate in the festival.

According to him, the festival will be celebrating the rich cultural heritage, creativity and innovation of Lagos state.

?We are expecting 200 international tourists from 11 countries to participate in this festival. Over 20,000 local and international tourists are expected.

?Specifically, these people will be coming from Dakar, Cotonou, Lom?, Johannesburg, Marrakech, Addis Ababa, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sao Paulo, Bogota, Cartagena, Saint Anne, New York and Florida.

?You will also have artistes from Lagos, Kaduna, Abuja, Asaba and more. We will have a large gathering of artistes, creators, technologists, innovators and tourists, coming to be part of Lagos landscape for nine days.

?So, we are closing down the JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History road from Oct. 26 through to Nov. 3, to create a big festival arena.

?Also, in that festival, there will be visual art exhibition, dance performances, music concerts, dance competitions, pop-up arts spaces, children corner that we call the play zone.

?There will also be a tech zone that will be run by CC Hub. So, the way we have put it together is a real collaborative process between different components of the creative ecosystem in Nigeria and not just Lagos. We will have the comedians, poets and many others,? he said.

Onikeku noted that tourists could register to attend the festival through afropolis.org, as individuals would only be required to pay N3,000 per day or N15,000 for the nine days.

Earlier, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that Afropolis Lagos Festival would be a celebration of Lagos people and Nigerian identity as well as a showcase of talents.

She said it would be a testament to the power of creativity to unite and inspire.

According to her, the festival will be an avenue for African creatives to come together, showcase their talents, exchange ideas and collaborate on groundbreaking projects.

She said the festival would further celebrate Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world.

?From Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, Lagos will become the epicentre of African creativity, welcoming artistes, innovators, and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond,? she said.

Benson-Awoyinka said that the opening day, Oct. 26, would kick off with a VIP preview and cocktail, followed by a grand opening ceremony at ?The Vibez Stage?.

?We will be honoured to host a fireside chat with our esteemed Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, where we will explore Lagos? role as a hub for the global African creative economy.

?On Oct. 27, the streets of Lagos Island will come alive with a vibrant carnival procession, embodying the spirit and energy of our people.

?The day will culminate in the Afropolis Global African Vibez Exchange (G.A.V.E), a testament to our commitment to fostering international collaborations.

?Oct. 28 marks a historic moment with the official opening of the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History. We will be privileged to have Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu lead us on a tour of this significant cultural landmark.?

According to her, the festival will host daily film programmes, interactive art installations, and performances that span the spectrum of African creativity, from traditional to contemporary, dance to music, and visual arts to technology.

She said that the closing weekend would feature an international performance, which would showcase the incredible talents of ?Our Afropolis Tribe of 2024?, followed by a grand finale of ?Afro House and EDM Rave? on Nov. 3.

?To our young talents who are making significant strides on the global stage, Afropolis is your stage to shine. To our local and international visitors, prepare to be immersed in an unparalleled celebration of African creativity and innovation.

?As we launch Afropolis 2024, we are not just opening a festival; we are opening doors to new possibilities, fostering connections that transcend borders, and showcasing the incredible potential of our creative industries to drive economic growth and cultural exchange.

?I invite all Lagosians, Nigerians, and our international friends to join us in this celebration. Let us come together to experience the magic of Afropolis, to be inspired, to create, and to reinforce Lagos? position as a global creative powerhouse,? she said.

Also, Mr Gbenga Omotosho, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, noted that the festival was of paramount importance to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, considering its numerous benefits to the state and individuals in general. (NAN)

?PHOTO: Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, with other dignitaries during a news conference on Afropolis Lagos Festival, on Wednesday in Lagos.

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