Lagos govt cancels December fiesta over COVID-19 fourth wave

The Lagos government has canceled its annual end-of-year ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta’ over fears of COVID-19 fourth wave. The authorities cited the counsel from health authorities to suspend all activities scheduled for Yuletide.

In early November, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the December 1st to 31st event, themed ‘Lagos Rocks’. It was to feature cycling, photography and fashion competitions, traditional games, and concerts at all five divisions of the state.

At the weekend, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said experts warned against gatherings expected to be attended by persons returning from countries experiencing the fourth wave. Akinbile-Yussuf made reference to Germany, Austria and Greece that are reintroducing restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic.

He noted that Germany is a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays.

The official appealed to the public to join hands with the government to forestall the tragic experience of December 2020 when scores of citizens. “Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science,” Akinbile-Yusuff said. Akinbile-Yussuf explained that Lagos wanted to hold the event to accelerate economic reflation “by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities”.

“But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations”, the statement added.