Why Lagos Partnered Goge Africa for Independence Cruise

Justina Uzo

Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has said it worked closely with some private sector operators to organise a boat cruise during the nation’s Independence anniversary, last week to showcase the viability of Lagos tourism. Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, said the cruise was arranged in a couple of days by Goge Africa in collaboration with Tarzan Jetty, Tour2Nigeria, Sam Adeleke – Travel With Sam, Explore Travel Magazine, Angel Style World Travels and Tours and others.

He said “We used the opportunity to tell Lagosians and the whole world that boat cruise is safe and enjoyable in Lagos.”

While calling on everyone to find time to experience Lagos through the waterways, Bonu explained the benefits of waterway in the promotion of tourism in Lagos State.

Lagos State Commissioner of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said, “using the waterways would make it easier for Lagosians to move from one destination to another.” Adding: “So we want to encourage the public to continue to use our waterways.”

Akinbile-Yusuf restated the state government’s adoption of the waterways as an alternate means of transportation.

In the same vein, Managing Director, Lagferry, Hon. Ladi Balogun encouraged Lagosians to “see waterway as a viable and reliable alternative to road transportation not only to commute people, but also for entertainment, tourism and social events.

Balogun said Lagferry “is setting a standard for everybody because this is a Lagos for the future; this is what we want to see…we are showing it to the world, we are demonstrating to everyone that yes, we can do it. Not only on the road, but also through the waterways.”

The waterways, he said, would give way for the “multi-modal transportation that we’ve been preaching since year 2000.”

Lagos Tourism and its partners had feted over 150 people on a boat cruise themed: “Greater Nigeria Independence Cruise” aboard the expansive MV Adimu Orisa Ferry, along the waterways of Lagos State.

Personalities who were on the cruise included the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi; the Chief Corporate Services Officer at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Tobe Okigbo and his wife, Chioma, as well as tourism entrepreneurs, many of whom said the event was a synergy between the state government, tourism practitioners and entertainers.

Nigeria’s movie industry was ably represented by Lilian Amah-Aluko, a respected film producer, actress and writer.

CEO, Goge Africa, Amb. Isaac Moses hailed the event, saying it was double celebration for Goge Africa even as Nigeria turns 61

Isaac recalled the debut of their show on television and the company’s dedication to the development and promotion of domestic tourism in Nigeria and Africa.

For him, the team celebrated these two epochal birth anniversaries, Nigeria at 61 and Goge Africa at 22, as well as waterways of Lagos State. Participants said the boat cruise, which took them through the nooks and crannies of Lagos waters, was able to “create an atmosphere for enjoyment of games, interaction and networking.”

Francisca Onarinde of BestManGames, one of the event partners, advised that such events “should happen more often and by so doing everyone will have a chance to experience it to unwind, relax and have fun.”