Commissioner for tourism, arts and culture in Lagos Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf on Saturday announced the suspension of Greater Lagos Fiesta over COVID-19.
In a statement, she said the suspension was necessary just as Europe, the epi-centre of the COVID-19 pandemic, reintroduced restrictions to tackle the fourth wave of the pandemic.
According to her, the suspension follows sound advisory from health authorities in respect of the mammoth crowd expected at some of the gatherings.
She said, ”This is as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members of the Diaspora community, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.
”We have seen Germany, Austria, and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays.
”This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December, when scores of our citizens died during the pandemic around yuletide.
”Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science.”
The commissioner expressed her profound appreciation to all the corporate sponsors who had so far indicated interest to support this year’s edition of the fiesta.
Akinbile-Yussuf, therefore, urged event organisers and owners of event centres with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the ministry of health.
