Today, we officially commence the year-long celebration to mark Lagos at 50. From today till May 28, 2017, we shall celebrate our great State with activities showcasing our culture, sights, sounds and the political economy of Lagos State.

We begin this jubilee celebrations with the next generation of Lagos, our children,who have put forward entries for the Vision of the Child competition. The Vision of the Child initiative is aimed at promoting education through creative thinking, literary arts and painting skills.

Lagos State has consistently supported this programme over the years and the theme for this year’s competition – “Sisi Eko at 50: Aging gracefully or Na So-So Pancake?” has been crafted to reflect the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of our State.

Today, we celebrate the 50 winners of the competition. While I commend these children from our schools for their efforts, I hope, by this exercise, you have learnt a bit about Lagos and have been made curious to seek for more knowledge about your State.

I commend the Lagos at 50 committee for the efforts put into this project since their inauguration three months ago. I am very confident that this committee will organize a memorable celebration that will not only make Lagosians proud but announce our State on the world stage.

This celebration provides a historical opportunity to serve as a launch pad to propel Lagos State into unimaginable greatness and put Lagos State on the highest pedestal; in the league of the world’s mega City-States. This will be the biggest celebration in the 50 year history of the State.

We are looking forward to world class events showcasing our achievements, our heritage, our culture and the huge potential that promises a prosperous future. This celebration will be about the legacy, prosperity and good life that we are working to bequeath to our children and generations coming behind. This golden jubilee celebration will show Lagos for what it is; a home for all and a land of opportunities where dreams are made and fulfilled.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this celebration will be all-inclusive. In furtherance to this, each of the Five administrative divisions of the State will have one month to showcase their culture and landmarks. In this way, we will expose to the world the uniqueness and diversity of our culture and tradition as well as our great tourism potential.

I wish to use this opportunity to solicit for the support of individuals and corporate organizations when we come calling for your collaboration. Nothing less will be good enough for the Centre of Excellence and State of aquatic Splendor.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now officially declare the one-year celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Lagos State open.

God bless Lagos State.

Thank you.

Itesiwaju Ipinle Eko, lo je wa l’ogun!!!

Akinwunmi Ambode,

Governor of Lagos State,

Alausa.

24^th May, 2016