Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Sunday night at Agege Stadium declared opened the historic “One Lagos Fiesta” with a promise to make the event an annual programme that would be held in all the five divisions of the state.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of fun-seeking Lagosians at the stadium, the Governor recalled that during his electioneering campaign, he pledged to run an all inclusive government that will involve every Lagosian as well as bring governance closer to the people, hence the “One Fiesta programme” is in fulfillment of that promise.

“You mean a lot to me, this event is all about you and the rest of Lagos,” Ambode said.

He recalled that the last time he was at the Agege Stadium was during the electioneering campaign of now-President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed happiness that he was back to the area as elected Governor, hence his decision to declare the fiesta, which will hold simultaneously in all the divisions, opened from Agege.

While thanking the people of Agege for identifying with the State Government as manifested in the massive turnout and in a peaceful and orderly manner, the Governor urged all residents to participate fully in the five day programme packaged to make every Lagosian enter the new year in joyful mood.

In his own remark, the representative of the Federal Government, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, applauded the initiative of the Ambode-led administration for decentralising the countdown to the end-of-year programme to accommodate all divisions.

In his words, “This far sighted concept has given every Lagosian the choice either to be in Agege, Ikorodu, Epe, Badagry or Lagos Island to fully participate in Countdown celebration.”

The minister noted that the “One Lagos Fiesta” is in line with the Buhari’s policy of organising festivals regularly, as the Federal Government is now in the process of compiling compendium of festivals in Nigeria as part of efforts to leverage on our rich cultural heritage to create employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government made provision of N500 billion as social intervention fund in the next year’s budget to assist young individuals to set up small businesses, stressing that in year 2016 the government will try as much as possible to engage youths in various enterprises.

On his part, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudasiru Obasa, thanked the people of Agege for embracing the “One Lagos Fiesta” wholeheartedly, while assuring them that the event is going to be an annual one with the primary objective of promoting tourism in the state.