•IJD activities will showcase tourism potentials of Lagos to the World, says Ambode

As Jazz promoters around the world harp on the directive by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s directive to celebrate the International Jazz Day (IJD) on April 30, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinmumi Ambode, is set to host lovers of the elevated genre at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Disclosing this to news men at the Baguada Press Centre, Alausa, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said the IJD is providing another opportunity for the governor to fulfill some of his campaign promises around arts, entertainment and tourism.

While the State government is supporting the shows taking place at different venues in Lagos, Ambode will be hosting captains of industry, socialites and other bigwigs, including the Ooni of Ife at the State House where his vision of tourism for Lagos will be further established.

Tagged ‘Lagos in tune with the world’, Ayorinde said that the state is excited to join the rest of the world in this celebration, for which the President of the United States of America, Barrack Obama, will also be celebrating in the White House.

Recall that Ambode’s touted Project T.H.E.S.E (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment/Arts, Sports for Excellence) initiative promises practical deliverables in marketing Lagos as a choice destination and job creation through the One Lagos Festival.

Some of the Jazz artistes listed for the Lagos show include Dare Art-Alade, Yinka Davies, Lekan Babalola (two time Grammy-winner) with the Eko Brass Band, Herbert Kunle Ajayi, veteran Jazz Saxophone; Bright Gain, Adeh and the Spectacle Band, Ubong Ntia, Sam and the Jazz Apostle, Dotun Bankole, Victor Ademola Band, Omolara, among others.

According to Ayorinde, “Since 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has designed April 30 as the International Jazz Day.

“In view of this, many countries of the world have always used the day to celebrate jazz-related types of music and jazz artistes. Here in Lagos also, the entire month of April is designed as Jazz Appreciation Month, culminating on April 30th International Jazz Day.

“Nigeria and Lagos in particular has also shown commitment to commemorating the jazz day with concerts and various forms of performances. Those who have shown commitment to the Jazz Day are the Inspire Productions’ Lagos International Jazz Festival, The MUSON Center’s annual MUSON Festival and Jazz Day, Satchmos Jazz and Cultural Festival and the Runway Jazz among others.”

While the Runway Jazz will be taking place at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, the Lagos International Jazz Festival will be thrilling audience at the Freedom Park, Marina, among pockets of other shows around Lagos.

Ayorinde stated that this year’s show is a build-up to a grand stage concert in 2017, which is planned as the biggest jazz concert in the world.

Hosted by Gbenga Adeyinka and Dare Art Alade, Ayorinde noted that the Governor’s action is in sync with what the president of the United States of America would be doing too, at the White House of Friday 29th. “It is because he loves Jazz and music in all its ramifications. It is good to remember that music played a prominent role at his campaign. He knows that music can also be a veritable tool for the creation of jobs for the teeming youth population,” he said.

Director of the Lagos International Jazz Festival, Ayoola Sadare who described Jazz as ‘Freedom’ genre, expressed optimism that the festival would draw investment worth millions of Naira to the State, giving example of how the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) has boosted the economy of South Africa. But Ambode’s vision is to surpass the records of the CTIJF.

“We want to emulate and even surpass the International Jazz Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, and then be on the world stage and that is the significance of this collaboration that we have decided to go into,” Ambode said on Tuesday, while receiving some of the groups collaborating with the state government on the forthcoming star-studded concert at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

He expressed optimism that the activities lined up for the forthcoming Lagos International Jazz Day will go a long way to showcase the tourism potentials of the State to the World.

He said apart from being the financial and commercial hub of Nigeria, his administration will work hard to equally transform Lagos to the tourism hub of Africa.

The groups on the courtesy visit include Lagos International Jazz Festival Group, Runway Jazz and Satchmo Jazz.