On June 3, 2023, Lagos State held a lively cultural celebration at Agege Stadium, showcasing the state’s rich traditions and cultural heritage. Dubbed “Cultural Display and Appreciation Carretta 2023,” the event gathered vibrant performances from dancers, masqueraders, and cultural groups representing Lagos State’s five divisions: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe.
The audience, including First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor’s wife Oluremi Hamzat, enjoyed an array of cultural displays. Performers from various groups, including Egungun, Igunnuko, Angere, Gelede, and the Footprints of David Arts Foundation, dazzled attendees with costumes and dance, celebrating Lagos’s cultural diversity. The Brazilian Descendants Association also added to the event’s international flair, emphasizing Lagos’s multicultural identity.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the event, noting that it went beyond mere celebration. “It is a testament to our shared history, resilience, and ability to transform our cultural differences into a vibrant expression of unity,” he said. The festival highlighted Lagos as a dynamic metropolis that thrives on its diversity and harmonizes a variety of cultural backgrounds.
The event, part of an 11-day inauguration programme for the state’s administration, was attended by state dignitaries, including Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde, traditional rulers, civil servants, and APC leaders. The celebration concluded with a statewide thanksgiving service across Lagos’s five divisions, marking a powerful end to the inauguration festivities.
