Ambode inaugurates committee for Lagos at 50

– Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated a planning
committee ahead of Lagos at 50 celebration
– Professor Wole Soyinka was made chairman of the
committee
– The state will be 50 in 2017 and plan is underway for
a big celebration
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has appointed Professor
Wole Soyinka as the chairman of the Lagos at 50
planning committee.
The state will be 50 in 2017 and ahead of the
celebration, the governor appointed the Nobel Laureate
alongside Mr. Rasheed Gbadamosi to both head the
committee.
The governor inaugurated the committee at the Lagos
house in Ikeja on Wednesday, February 10. Other
members of the committee include Hon. Habeeb
Fasinro, Chief Olawale Cole, Mrs. Sarah Boulos, Mr.
Abimbola Obafunwa, Prof (Mrs) Senapon Bakare, Mrs.
Chika Balogun, Mr. Folarin Coker, Prof. Ademola Abass,
Bolanle Austen Peter and Mrs Olufunmilayo Balogun as
secretary.
Governor Ambode expressed confidence in the ability of
the committee to deliver a world class celebration,
adding that the opportunity of Lagos at 50 will afford the
state to not only celebrate its past achievements, but
also to showcase to the world its immense potentials
for future growth and development.
He said : “Lagos state will be 50 years next year. 50
years is a significant landmark in the life of any
individual, institution or State. For Lagos State, it has
been an eventful 50 years which deserves to be fittingly
celebrated.”
The governor said that even though Lagos is the
smallest state in terms of size, it has maintained its
position as the economic capital of Nigeria.
“Lagos is a land of opportunities, offering all residents
the chance to succeed in their vocations and
endeavours. Lagos provides jobs to more people than
any other State in Sub Saharan Africa. Lagos is that
place where you have a chance to make it if you work
hard.
“Indeed, Lagos State has justified its creation. Apart
from being the pacesetter and first among equals in the
comity of States in the Nigerian Federation, Lagos State
also occupies a noticeable position in global affairs
especially as the fastest growing mega city in the
world.
“With all these in mind, it is imperative that we
celebrate Lagos at 50. In celebrating Lagos, we must
showcase our cultural heritage. We must celebrate the
language, arts, sights and sounds of Lagos. Celebrating
Lagos is to celebrate Nigerian Unity and Progress
because Lagos provides the cohesion that keeps
Nigeria together.”
The governor admitted that the celebration requires
experienced men and expressed confidence in the
ability of members of the committee
In his short remarks, Professor Soyinka said the
celebration of Lagos at 50 would afford an excellent

opportunity for the state to identify with the triumph,
losses and experience of the Black Race at home and in
the diaspora.
He promised that members of the committee would
work towards making the celebration a success.
Professor Soyinka likened the celebration to one of the
programmes in past editions of Lagos Black Heritage
Festival called the ‘Black in the Mediterranean Blue’,
saying “It would be used to project the black race not
just for the colonial experience and slave trade, but also
as a cultural people.”