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Water–based clubs and associations have been invited to participate in this year’s edition of the Lagos State Water Regatta.

The call was made
by Olusegun Jawando, Chair, Planning Committee of the Lagos State Water
Regatta 2011 during a press conference held on Tuesday, March 1 at
Glover Hall, Lagos Island.

In attendance was
Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, in his role as arrowhead to the Lagos
Black Heritage Festival; the planned water regatta is part of
activities planned for the festival, beginning next month. Also at the
press conference was Disun Holloway, who will be in charge of the boat
competition. The press conference was intended to promote an awareness
of the Lagos state water Regatta.

According to Mr
Jawando, the festival which is slated to hold on Sunday, April 24, will
have as its Chief Guest of Honour, Babatunde Fashola, the governor of
Lagos State. Jawando said that this year’s edition is tagged ‘Bright
and Beautiful’; and that it is scheduled to hold at the city’s Marina
and various creeks around Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and
Lagos Mainland. The festival will feature a parade of boats and Yachts.
The parade will include large fishing boats, ferries, barges and other
marine vessels adorned, depicting social – cultural, traditional
folklores and occupational aspects of the people of Lagos State.

The essence

Mr Jawando added
that the essence of the festival is to promote the cultural heritage of
Lagos State. “The annual Lagos State Water Regatta is one of the state
festivals organised to promote the cultural heritage of the indigenous
communities to the world and the sustainable development of the tourism
potentials of Lagos state as part of the Black Heritage Festival week,”
he said. Among the events scheduled to hold at this year’s festival are
paddled canoe racing competitions involving all the 57 Local government
councils in Lagos state; swimming competitions and Kayak racing.

The Planning
Committee chair called for the support of individuals and corporate
organisations in the successful staging of the event and its associated
activities. He said the event is not only meant for water–based clubs
and associations but also for families and even children. “This is a
Lagos State event, by Lagosians, for citizens of Lagos, and we enjoin
all and sundry to come out and join us on Easter Sunday, April 24 as we
celebrate the aquatic splendour of our state,” he said. “Families are
especially welcome, so please bring the children along especially to
view the spectacular fireworks.”

Plans have been made for families to watch the event at various
viewing centres including Walter Carrington Crescent, the Peninsula
Restaurants, Victoria Island, Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi; and Wole
Olateju Crescent in Lekki Scheme 1.