Lagos State, once labeled “The Home of Aquatic Splendor” but now known as “The Center of Excellence”, is home to nine million multi-ethnic people. A controversial figure declared by the National Population Commission, based on the census carried out in March 2006, and vehemently opposed by the Lagos state government. The city is home to thousands of residential and non-residential buildings, scattered throughout its beautiful unmastered planned landscape, which Governor Fashola is fighting to transform into a “Mega City”. Declared as the center of the Nation’s economic activities, the state has also added another feather to its cap by uncontroversially earning the title as “The Center of Entertainment”, beating all 35 other states.
Firmly rooted in the soil of the state, Nigeria’s music and film industries still tap into the economic and social nutrients that abound on a large scale. Over time, they have matured into Iroko trees, spreading their branches internationally, and invariably act as pavilions for cautious and talented people, who gladly sit in the cheap shade of industries, enjoying the protective cooling effect of the unbearable heat. financial scorcher. Dance buds have sprouted above the ground and instinctively leaned into the sunlight of entertainment, while comedy steadily grows.
Lagosians generally love to have a good time and always look forward to the end of the working week and declare “Thank God, it’s Friday”. The time to relax, to hang out with friends and loved ones, to attend numerous programs that are presented to our face, mainly through television and, in other cases, through the radio. Musical concerts/ride shows, stand-up comedy shows, theatrical performances, children’s and family events, organized by individuals and various corporate entities inside and outside the industry engage in an advertorial battle throughout the week to tactically win the coins with those of us who parted at the end of the day. “There is no money in the country” is the usual boring phrase one often hears, but despite this constant false statement, entertainment venues are never a hive, as Lagosians are hell-bent on having fun no matter the attached price.
The irony of such a ‘fun-loving attitude’ is tragically projected during charitable bugle calls, when donations are made to help the poor, powerless, displaced, orphans, widows, and generally the underprivileged in society. . The financial response seems to be anchored on the low side, but a call to party for thousands of naira has Lagosians running to the spot – after all, they insist they are getting value for money! Business tycoons, aware of the lucrative entertainment market, are building, acquiring, expanding and renovating venues and adding exquisite interiors and state-of-the-art facilities, with an eye to claiming the title of “The Place to Go” for the occasion. putting an end to the previous show of indecision adopted by the organizers of several events.
The night waking rate has dropped rapidly over the years, following the successive crime rates perpetuated by the men of the underworld, amidst a mental projection of their safety and the devastating effect it could have on their loved ones. Unfortunately, the night’s law-defying intoxicants attend a game of blind dates with death, while a fraction of a minute escapes daredevils or unforeseen incidents that potentially take life by a hair’s breadth. Age is certainly not a barrier in the ‘catalogue of fun’ as the center of a thousand and one events, entertainment venues gladly extend their arms to embrace their guests regardless of gender, tribe and educational level. Unattractive parallel social strata that systematically place a great unwarranted and deep gulf between the upper and lower classes, sometimes painfully dictates the places both classes can visit for fun.
Holidays offer memorable platforms for families, friends and loved ones to have fun, the most prominent ones ranging from Easter, Christmas, Edil Kabir to celebrations of children, workers, Independence Day and Independence Day. New Year organized by some television stations such as Television. Continental(TVC), Lagos Television(LTV), NTA 10 and other corporate bodies. “The Silver Bird Galleria”, “Nu Metro”, “Genesis Deluxe”, City Mall Cinemas, offer a wide range of exciting movie genres to watch, especially from Hollywood, ranging from Action, Comedy, Family, Romance, Thriller , sci-fi, crime, adventure, suspense, musical, fantasy, horror, guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to the big screen until the end credits roll.
Stand up comedy has taken pride of place in the entertainment spheres with comedians telling comedy lovers rib jokes. Regular shows by various A-list comedians are held at different times of the year, such as “Basket Mouth Uncensored”, “AY live”, “Crack your ribs”, “Live n Naked”. Other highly rated comedians like Koffi, Owen – Gee, Teju baby face have also walked the path with the pioneering stand up comedy show “Nite of a Thousand laughs” which brings together various comedians under one roof. Bumi Davies’ “Stand up Nigeria” offers a stand-up comedian platform, while AY’s “Open Mic Night Competition” finds that talented celebrities want to be comedians who also entertain the crowd. Beaches like “Lekki, Eleko Coconut, Alpha, Kuramo, Akodo Beaches, Whispering Palm, Tarkwa Bay”, welcome enthusiastic fun seekers.
One thing is crystal clear, that although money is a true tool in the pursuit of entertainment, especially one with class and style, the people of Lagos, however, remain undaunted, strategically leveraging alternative means of entertainment. Lagosians are ready to show the world the entertainment side of life, and as our slick governor constantly declares “Eko oni get off!”
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