Lagos State Government has cancelled it planned fiesta over COVID-19 fourth wave fear.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Lagos State government, South West Nigeria, has suspended its annual end-of-year event tagged, Greater Lagos Fiesta, over fears of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was disclosed in a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.
Akinbile-Yussuf noted that it was imperative to follow the latest proactive advice from health authorities to suspend all activities earlier announced for the month-long event.
He also said that the decision to suspend the fiesta followed sound advisory from health authorities in respect of the crowd expected at the gatherings as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members from the Diaspora, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.
Akinbile-Yussuf said, “We have seen Germany, Austria and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays.
“This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December when scores of our citizens died during the Yuletide.
“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.
“The strategic intent of the state government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta.
“But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations.”
Akinbile-Yussuf also thanked the corporate sponsors who had so far indicated interest to support the event.
She said, “We will not forget your rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and, indeed, the people of Lagos State at a challenging time when businesses are battling with limited resources.
“You will remain our partners for this and similar initiatives that are in the works.”
