General News
Sanwo-Olu Unveils 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta noting that the monthlong event will help the state’s recovery efforts after the devastations of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor stated this on Friday at the unveiling ceremony of the Fiesta themed ‘Lagos Rocks’. It will feature activities including cycling, photography and fashion competitions, the Xmas Souk Village, traditional games, and the popular Greater Lagos Concerts featuring A-list artistes in all five divisions of the state.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, explained that the pandemic affected the three critical pillars of society. He said the Greater Lagos Fiesta, holding from December 1 to 31, is part of efforts to reposition the state further.
He said, “society relies on three tripods; economy, health and well-being and security of lives and property. What COVID 19 has done is to affect all the three as well as nightlife but this edition of the Greater Lagos Fiesta, which activities speakers have highlighted for you, will help reflate our economy.”
The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, explained that the 2020 edition didn’t hold because the Lagos State government prioritised public health and safety, but this year’s will be with a “blend of uniqueness and touch of innovation and creativity.”
She added that ‘Lagos Rocks’ will be “an immersive experience of entertainment, awe and inspiration, the likes of which has never been seen before in Nigeria from December 1 to January 1, 2022.”
The Commissioner also said that the government “will be using the Greater Lagos Fiesta to further transform Lagos into a major African tourism and entertainment hub by exploring and promoting the potentials that abound in the state as well as integrating the trending entertainment and art industry as a viable platform to attract visitors and create job opportunities.”
She disclosed that only vaccinated persons against COVID-19 will be allowed into the Fiesta’s venues and assured adequate security and emergency services.
Also highlighting the Fiesta’s importance, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, said it affirms his principal’s commitment to tourism development.
“The Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021 is a reflection of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s love for tourism and entertainment and fervent belief in the ability of the ministry to organise an event that would portray the standard Lagos has been known for over the years,” he said.
Explaining the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021 brand and how it would reflate the economy, Chair, Marketing Communications Sub-Committee for the Fiesta, Mr Israel Jaiye Opayemi, gave a detailed analysis.
He noted its evolution from ‘Lagos Countdown’ to ‘Greater Lagos Fiesta’ and how despite the changes in its name, its purpose remains “to serve as a unifying platform to Promote Entertainment, Commerce, Arts, Culture, and the Bubbling Spirit amongst the people of Lagos State”
Opayemi, the Managing Director/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Nigeria, a leading integrated marketing communication consultancy, also shared the statistical justification for the 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta.
He said, “40 per cent of consumers are looking forward to HIGH energy this coming festive season as makeup for December 2020’s COVID induced low energy. Over 80% of consumers want brands and businesses to organise events and festivals this December.
“As a form of escapism and make up for COVID-19 social and psychological restrictions. 42% of Consumers are willing to attend parties and concerts than other social gatherings this December as part of their “high energy” December expectations.”
Opayemi further noted that Lagos Fiesta 2021 is a celebration of “The Resilience of our Spirit in the Fight Against an Unseen Enemy Called Covid.”
Explaining the brand identity and meaning of the logo, he disclosed that: “red symbolises – Courage, Love, Vigour, Warmth; orange symbolises – Energy, Excitement, Vibrancy, Youthfulness, Change and blue is Peace, Trust, Calmness, Healing.
YELLOW to symbolise – Cheerfulness, Passion, Friendship; GREEN to symbolise – Growth, Prosperity, Progress; BLACK to symbolise – Power, Prestige, Strength, Elegance and WHITE to symbolise the clarity of our vision
“The bold fonts used to render Lagos was carefully selected to underscore the bold character of our people. If you are in doubt, go and ask COVID and some of the adversities we have faced as a people. It underscores the RESILIENCE of our people.
“The iconic Lekki –Ikoyi Link Bridge was carefully embedded inside the Letter O to boastfully remind ourselves that we are not just the melting pot of the diverse cultures of our land, but we are the bridge that connects peoples of the over 250 ethnic nationalities. ”
The 2021 Greater Lagos Fiesta, a deliberate economic strategy to reflate the state’s economy, will start on December 1 with an opening ceremony at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan.
The cycling competition will hold on December 5, while the photography and fashion contests will be held on December 7 and 10. The Xmas Souk Village featuring children’s corner, book exhibition, food, fashion and Santa’s Grotto, will open in Lagos’ five divisions of Ikorodu, Ikeja, Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe on December 18.
The Marina Experience, showcasing the state’s water treasures, will hold on December 26. It will then be four unbroken days of quality music from A-list musicians and upcoming ones across the five divisions from December 27 to 30. The official closing will happen at Eko Atlantic on December 31.
Nigeria’s startup ecosystem received a fresh injection of momentum as top emerging ventures secured funding and investor attention at the iHatch National Demo Day, where Interface Africa clinched the highest prize of $15,000.
The 4th cohort of the NITDA–JICA-backed accelerator brought together founders, policymakers, and venture stakeholders in Abuja, showcasing innovations ranging from clean-energy financing and digital food marketplaces to next-gen fintech tools.
The startups went rounds of running through state-level selections and regional competition. iHatch was established in 2021 as a strategic partnership to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop and scale their innovative solutions.
The iHatch National Demo Day (4th Cohort), is an initiative by NITDA and JICA which provides a clear pathway for homegrown talent to contribute significantly to economic diversification and digital transformation.
After rigorous selection processes, the top founders converged to pitch their innovations, recognised the standout performers, which are:
Interface Africa with $15,000, the firm is driving Nigeria’s clean energy transition by enabling structured and affordable solar financing.
Ahioma with $12,000, the firm enhances food accessibility with a digital marketplace connecting consumers directly to trusted vendors.
Linia Finance with $10,000, the firm is helping Nigerians take control of their finances with tools for budgeting, tracking, and smart money planning.
Chapta got a laptop reward. They delivering an offline-capable school application ensuring consistent, accessible learning for students everywhere.
Softdrop also got a laptop reward, they solve logistics challenges through a modern delivery platform designed for speed, convenience, and efficiency.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, will host a free virtual training on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA) as part of its commitment to helping small businesses prepare for the upcoming legislation.
Fidelity Bank
The masterclass is scheduled for 10:00 AM (Nigerian time) on Friday, 12 December 2025. It will provide participants with clear insights into changes in the tax framework, the impact on income and business operations, and practical steps to avoid penalties in 2026.
Attendees will also learn strategies to stay ahead in an evolving regulatory environment.
The Nigerian government enacted major tax reforms on 26 June 2025 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed four tax bills into law.
These Acts will take effect on 1 January 2026 and represent a significant overhaul of the country’s tax system.
The reforms aim to modernize and harmonize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve revenue generation, broaden the tax base, and create clearer rules for individuals, businesses, and government agencies.
“Our decision to host this masterclass reflects our commitment to empowering businesses with the right information ahead of the commencement of the new tax regime.
“Information is money and a well-informed business owner is already steps ahead in the race to success.
“This is why we are bringing experts to provide accurate details and demystify the tax act,” said Osita Ede, Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Interested participants can register via https://bit.ly/2026TaxLawMasterclass .
PalmPay, Nigeria’s leading digital banking platform, has renewed its commitment to deepening financial inclusion across the country. At the CeBIH Annual Conference 2025, themed “Reimagining Financial Inclusion through Cultural Shifts in Consumer Credit,” PalmPay’s Managing Director, Chika Nwosu, urged industry players to deepen financial inclusion by embracing community-aligned solutions and customer-centric innovations that can better serve Nigeria’s underserved and unbanked populations.
Speaking during a panel session titled “Social Inclusion, A Veritable Tool for Financial Inclusion,” Chika Nwosu joined other industry leaders to share insights on strengthening participation among women, rural dwellers, low-income earners, and other financially excluded groups.
Chika Nwosu highlighted PalmPay’s commitment to inclusive finance through its 500,000-strong agent network, which enables seamless cash-in/cash-out services for unbanked users across Nigeria. He also emphasised the importance of PalmPay’s USSD platform, 861#, which allows users with basic phones or limited internet access to perform essential financial transactions.
“Financial inclusion goes beyond access; it must be equitable and tailored to real-life needs,” Chika Nwosu said. He shared how PalmPay leverages behavioural insights to design impactful services, including affordable health insurance, reliable bill payments, merchant solutions, and automated savings features that support financial discipline among users.
The session further examined the role of grassroots agents and community touchpoints in driving last-mile adoption. Chika Nwosu noted that PalmPay’s widespread community presence continues to build trust and encourage excluded populations to embrace digital financial tools.
The session was moderated by Ronke Kuye of the CeBIH Advisory Council and featured representatives from E-Doc Online, SmartCash Payment Service Bank, SANEF, and EFINA.
PalmPay reaffirmed its commitment to driving accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services for all Nigerians. PalmPay is a leading digital banking platform driving financial inclusion and economic empowerment in underserved emerging markets. Through its secure, user-friendly, and inclusive suite of financial services, PalmPay empowers individuals and businesses with tools to manage and grow their money.
PalmPay offers a comprehensive range of products, including mobile payments, savings, and micro-insurance via its app and mobile money agent network.
Since launching in Nigeria in 2019 under a Mobile Money Operator license, the platform has grown to over 35 million app users. PalmPay has operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, and Bangladesh.
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