Pan African conglomerate, the Dangote Group, has donated N50 million to the 2013 Lagos Count Down, a project of the Lagos State Government, saying the gesture was meant to stimulate economic activities during this season and help showcase the natural richness of the state. The Group had earlier signed up as a lead sponsor of the event, expected to attract people across the globe.

A statement issued this afternoon by Dangote Group said its decision to support the event was in line with its avowed commitment to contribute significantly to efforts at creating avenue for economic boom and enhancement of the welfare of the people.

It stated that that the Lagos Count Down would generate economic activities within the period and lift the people’s spirit while at the same time exposing the tourism potential of the state as the event takes place at the Lagos beach. Count Down, which is packaged by the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), marks the crossover from a year to the next in spectacular grand style.

The Group assured of its readiness to always throw its weight behind any event or programme that would add value to the life of the citizenry because the mission of the Group is to positively touch life of the people.

The Managing Director of LASAA, Mr. George Noah, who spoke at the pre-countdown parley with sponsors and ambassadors, said players in the entertainment industry, sponsors of the event and government officials were already on ground to assure the public that this year’s event would be great.

Giving the history of the event, he explained that the first countdown took place in New York, USA, in 1903 with 200,000 people in attendance. Hoah said that as at today over one million people grace the annual event in the US, with about $5 billion pumped into that nation’s economy.

Said the LASAA MD: “In Lagos, we will like to replicate what is happening in other parts of the world. The countdown is not only about entertainment, it is about creation of employment; it is about commerce, brand development and encouraging brand loyalty.

“About 50 artistes are expected to grace this occasion, it is the biggest countdown in Africa. Countdown is about pleasure and beautifying the environment with lighting and so on. At countdown, we talk about inspiration of what we want to achieve in the New Year.”

Noah expressed optimism that this year’s event would be bigger and most interesting, adding that the agency was pushing to have the event mentioned in the media about 300 times than in the past.

Now in its second year, Lagos Count Doown heralds what is fast becoming an enduring tradition in Lagos State. A viable platform for commerce, encouraging brand development, job creation, leisure, entertainment and tourism – the Countdown offers an unforgettable array of thrills and spills for all ages.

On the programme are music performances, an enchanting cascade of lights, fireworks and pyrotechnics – turning the entire Bar Beach, in Victoria Island, Lagos, into a melting pot of culture and commerce.

•Photo shows Dangote Group President, Aliko Dangote.