The Greater Lagos Regatta and Festival as tool for economic growth

As part of efforts to position Lagos State as the hub of the country’s culture, entertainment and business The Greater Lagos Regatta and Festival (TG-LARAF) has partnered with the Lagos State Government for this year’s festival.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Gradient Hill Limited, Ivor Ekpe, the festival was conceived to combine elements that have never been put together before to draw attention to the economic prospects of the state.

“The objective of TG-LARAF is very simple. It is not to have another party that will be forgotten till the next one. We saw an opportunity to do what will help Lagos beyond just the entertainment and to see how we can combine what nobody else has done before. We have put together a conference, which centres on the prospect, growth and opportunities in Lagos and combine that with the regatta and festival. So, this provides a wonderful opportunity to combine these elements and have a greater impact,” Ekpe said.

The event, being organised in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is scheduled to hold from April 10-12, 2020. It will open with a conference tagged: Greater Lagos
Inland Waterways Optimisation and Business Conference.

Ekpe informed that the conference slated to hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, will be addressed by experts in tourism/hospitality, finance, insurance, maritime as well as arts and culture sectors, who are expected to come up with ways on how best to harness water assets of the state to accelerate its economic growth.

The event will feature boat regatta, racing competitions by traditional and modern marine vessels at the waterfront of the Five Cowrie Creek, while the third day will see awards presented to winners of the competition.

“Each day of the event will feature family funfair and bazaar as well live musical performances local and international musical acts,” he said.

Speaking on the project, Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Uzamat Akinbule-Yussf hinted that foreign tourists would not be part of the event due to the pandemic coronavirus, adding “The ministry is aware of the COVID-19 and we are working with the Ministry of Health to create washing of hands points, provide hand sanitisers and ensure safety of Lagos people during and after the programme.”