Lights up, and all stood still for Lagos as it came alive at the 2012 black heritage festival ‘’Eko for show.’’ It kicked off to a colorful start on Monday, the 2nd of April with the state governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) formally commissioning kongi’s harvest; the new exhibition gallery at the freedom park on Broad Street. Lagos state wore a new look , the Tafawa Balewa square had decors hanging from all corners, the newly constructed tourism village on Onikan Abayomi drive was open to all, and the civic centre was like a new bride as it played host to tourists who scrambled to witness the boat regatta, a celebration of total aquatic splendour.
The Ikoyi regatta village had a colourful display of fishing barges and ferries as their riders, dressed in colourful matching costumes struggled to make the finish line at the civic centre. A stiff competition it was in the male and female categories respectively. There was the 3 – a –side canoe rowing competition where the orange team came tops in the male category and the black team made its team proud by taking first place in the female category.
At the grand finale of the boat competition, ferry companies together with various Lagos communities like Isale Eko, Ejirin, Campus, Agbowoo Ikosi, The Obaship Institute, Idede, Badagry, Olowogbowo did a show off on their marine expertise. With these show off of expertise, came dances, songs, fireworks etc. The Ijaw youths were very much at home with the waters, thereby clinching the most creative award.
Olowogbowo community went home with the best decorated boat while the best local government laurel went to Lagos island local government. It was celebration all the way for Lagosians and tourists. The state government had everything under control, there were RRS policemen on bikes dressed like Robocop, BRT buses were provided to convey members of the public to TBS for free, the kids were not left out as they were the first to go on parade, some were seen on roller skates, bumble bee bikes etc. The focal points for the year 2012 carnival were TBS, campos square and Giwa barracks (former kingsway road).
The parade had them moving from national museum, Onikan, King George V road to catholic mission drive and back to the museum. The beauty pageant tagged ‘Agbeke’ the carnival queen saw Yetunde Lawal emerge queen with a star prize of N2.5 million and a Kia motor. Oluwagbemisola Shotade was first runner up while Odusola Adebeju Funmilade was 2nd runner up.
Present at the event was the then governor himself; Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), his elegant wife; Dame Abimbola Fashola, the then deputy Governor; Princess Sarah Sosan, the then commissioner for Tourism; Mr. Oladisun Holloway and a host of other dignitaries.
Participating adult band included – Campos, Lafiaji, Epetedo, Okofayi, Olowogbowo, Locomotion, Obalende, Isale Eko and Woro group.
Another welcome innovation in this 3rd edition of the carnival was the corporate float by organizations like Nigeria Breweries, MTN and Ecobank.
Sponsors were MTN, Eko hotel and suites, Eko bank, Maltina, e.t,c. This was one memorable Easter tourists would never forget in a hurry. “EKO ONI BAJE O“