Lagosians home and abroad will converge at the Water-Front on Queens Drive, Ikoyi Lagos on Easter Sunday for the 2012 edition of the Lagos Water Regatta; a fun filled water-based cultural sporting and recreational activity put together to showcase the aquatic splendor of the state.
The theme for this year is: LAGOS: SPLASH THE EXCITEMENT while the regatta’s driving Pay Off line remains: CELEBRATING LAGOS AQUATIC SPLENDOUR.
These details were revealed on Friday, March 8, 2012 by Engr. Olusegun Jawando, Chairman, Lagos Water Regatta Working Committee at a media ceremony to unfold activities lined up for this year edition of the Lagos Water Regatta, at the Civic Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the chairman, “the Lagos Water Regatta is a renaissance of our cultural values in Lagos; to bring Lagos back to what it used to be in the good old days. It is a private sector led initiative with support base from the Lagos State Government to promote tourism potentials of the state and heighten interest in Lagos state as a tourism destination”, explained, Engr. Jawando.
Speaking further, Engr. Jawando stated that a regatta village is being constructed at the Water-view on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi Lagos. This he said will turn the Lagos Water Regatta to a convergence leisure point for Lagosians from all walks of life, Nigerians home and abroad and tourists from around the world.
The regatta will feature a parade of floats and canoes with traditional, cultural and social troupes from 20 communities of the five divisions that make up the state. There will be boats and jet skis from members of the Aquamarine Boat Club who will perform stunts on the water. There will be boat racing, swimming contests by men and ladies.
In terms of security, adequate provision, Jawando said, has been made with the Navy and Police Marines. They will provide security and ambulance boats for safety. We are going to have participation from LASWA, all Boat Clubs, Boat & Ferry operators in Lagos and representatives of riverside communities in Lagos. We are expecting over 50 thousand fun seekers to visit the Regatta village on the day of the show.
Various corporate organisations have started showing interest in sponsorship in order to tap into the branding opportunities that the regatta fanfare will provide. “Many corporate brands are going to be branding boats, ferries and ski jets. The regatta village will also have classified opportunities for corporate marketing. We are going to have Children’s Park, Concert Section and VIP Tent; all these sections are open for branding. Don’t forget, it’s happening on April 8, Easter Sunday. The Regatta Village will become a picnic zone for holiday seekers on that day.
In a symbolic demonstration of the official flag off, the chairman climbed onto the deck of a luxury boat packed on the lagoon at the jetty behind the Civic Centre and waved the Lagos Water Regatta flag for two ski jets and a flying boat to speed off. The boat and the two ski jets raced to a distance and performed wonderful water stunts to the admiration of guests.{jcomments on}
