Part of the T.H.E.M.E.S+ agenda of Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is to develop tourism potentials and revolutionize Lagos waterways. This has prompted one of the agencies of the State government to strategically position itself to unlock the limitless opportunities on the State’s waterways for economic greatness.
The agency, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), led by a former Lagos Lawmaker, Hon. Ladi Balogun took it upon itself to strategically deploy boat cruise on waterways to not only unlock opportunities in entertainment, tourism, business development but also boost blue economy and the local economy of Lagos and Nigeria at large.
Since 2020, LAGFERRY under the headship of Balogun as the Managing Director/CEO, frequently host boat cruise initiatives to showcase the potential of Lagos’ waterways for hospitality, sports, leisure, and economic growth.
On October 2020, the agency celebrated Nigeria’s 60th Diamond Independence Anniversary with a boat cruise tagged “Greater Lagos Independence Cruise on MV Adimu Orisa”.
According to Balogun, the boat cruise was part of efforts to showcase the opportunities the firm provides to commuters through the waterways.
Balogun said that the firm wanted to give Lagosians along coastal lines the possibility of what could be achieved on the waterways.
“We just want to give Lagoosians the possibility of what can happen on the waterways. It is a greater Lagos Independence Cruise and we are coming on water to celebrate 60th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria- the Lagos way.
“There is no state in Nigeria that can be like Lagos because we have the water and we have the people. We want to showcase the hospitality, tourism and other potential the waterway can bring to our economy in Nigeria.
” This is what Lagos has in abundance and we are showing it to the whole world. We want people to come onboard and enjoy themselves and have fun and network.
“We are doing this to enable our tourism and to also tell the people what can be done onboard our waters-social events, weddings, receptions , meetings, birthday parties and a lot of other things. This is what we are exposing to the whole world.”
He said that the 60th Independence of Nigeria was worth celebrating in spite of all challenges facing Nigeria’s nationhood.
According to him, Nigeria has a lot of potential for development and progress with high prospect to build the dream of its founding fathers which include water.
The agency went a step further in 2022 to collaborate with the crew of TV Continental’s ‘Your View’ programme.
Couples, guests and revellers marked the 2022 Valentine’s day with a boat cruise on LAGFERRY’s 180 tonnage barge with over 120 people on board, sailing from the Five Cowries Terminal Falomo-Ikoyi, through Civic Tower, Lekki Adax Jetty, the popular Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, Banana Island, Third Mainland Bridge and back at Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo-Ikoyi as participants savoured the ambience of the Lagos coastline while having fun and playing games.
On July 2023, the League of Tourism Officers in the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas partnered with LAGFERRY to boost tourism in the state.
The team enjoyed a boat cruise with LAGFERRY’s MF Eko Akete from Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo-Ikoyi through the Five Cowries Creek to the Lagos Lagoon to sight landmark places such as 1004 Estate, Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge, Banana Island, Osborne, 3rd Mainland Bridge, Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, Apapa Port, Eko Atlantic City, The Wings Building, Raddisson Blu, US Embassy, and more.
The League of Tourism Officers in the 57 Local Government and Local Council Development Areas took the practical step with LAGFERRY to further develop the tourism potentials of Lagos State.
On February 2024, the month known for celebration of love and valentine, LAGFERRY blended the season of love with football to showcase what Lagos Waterways could offer Lagosians and Nigerians in general in terms of water tourism.
The agency put up exclusively Love Lagos Valentine/AFCON Final match viewing on the waterways, featuring a live viewing of the final football match of the African Cup of Nations and prominent nollywood celebrities such as Mercy Aigbe, Foluke Daramola and many more.
According to LAGFERRY MD, the event was not only about transportation but also about entertainment, sports, and tourism.
The Managing Director said that the event aimed to support the Super Eagles and promote water tourism.
And recently, the agency deepened its creativity to enhance traditional genre of the yoruba extraction by organising a waterways tourism event where it brought together stakeholders in the tourism and entertainment industries to showcase the potential of the waterways as a hub for economic growth and development.
With the event tagged ‘Fuji Fusion L’ori Omi’, LAGFERRY and the Ministry of Tourism seems to aim at unlocking the limitless opportunities on the State’s waterways.
Fuji Fusion L’ori Omi, featured a lineup of Legendary Fuji musicians, including Alhaji Wasiu Alabi (Pasuma), Alhaji Sulaimon Adio (Atawewe), Alhaji Toyin Ololade (Mr. Performer), Biyi Omo mummy, and Alhaji Sulaimon Alao (Malaika).
The focus on Fuji music for the event was a deliberate choice to highlight the traditional roots of Lagos and its rich cultural heritage.
The event served as a platform to not only showcase the talents of these legendary Fuji artists but also promote the diverse offerings of Lagos State in terms of tourism and entertainment.
Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said “at least one-third of Lagos is water, and the best way to sell our tourism is to ensure people feel safe on our waterways.” She emphasized that the event was designed to demonstrate the various activities that can take place on the waterways, including parties, transportation, and work.
Benson-Awoyinka encouraged private participants to partner with Lagos state Government to explore the possibilities of the waterways, citing previous successful events such as the football show held a few months ago.
The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Damilola Emmanuel said “Fuji Fusion is a showcase of Lagos in style, on the waterways, representing tourism at its best.”
The event features a diverse range of Fuji music styles, providing a relaxing and entertaining experience for Lagosians and tourists alike. “Today, we’re offering a unique opportunity for people to unwind and enjoy different styles of Fuji music on the waterways, within a safe and secure environment,” Emmanuel said.
He emphasized that safety is a top priority, with a focus on awareness, sensitization, and emergency response. “We’re committed to ensuring the safety of all users on the waterways, through ongoing awareness campaigns, sensitization programs, and a fleet of rescue boats ready to respond to any emergencies,” he explained.
Meanwhile, a tourism expert and CEO of Seol Investment and Communications Limited, Idris Olukoya, speaking on tourism opportunities, urged the government to mount caution light on the waterways in order to ensure safety.
Olukoya added that there is need for the government to empower marine police with strong marine boats, saying that security of boat users and operators is paramount to developing water transportation and blue economy.
The tourism expert further advised the government to upgrade some of the jetty boats and waterway facilities to international standard so that the users would have confidence in them, adding that it would also promote private sector investment.
He urged the government to commit huge investments to water tourism, saying that the investment would build confidence in private companies to partner with government to grow blue economy.
