1st May, 2011
Creativity, glamour and panache took the centre stage on Saturday as the Lagos Carnival 2011 took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
A capacity crowd of excited Lagosians and foreign tourists including Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan  witnessed the beautiful display and scintillating performances by various colourfully attired Fanty groups representing different areas as the 2011 Lagos Carnival climaxed.
The Lagos Carnival which is a beautiful recreation of the age long tradition of Brazilian Lagos as pioneered by Brazilian returnees called Emancipados was given added impetus through a colourful display of music, dance and procession by various groups.
In his remarks at the event, Governor Fashola expressed his appreciation to all Lagosians on behalf of himself, the Action Congress of Nigeria and all elected legislators for the renewed mandate which they have just been given by the people of Lagos.
The governor who restated his commitment not to let the people of Lagos down said it was part of the benefits of the mandate given to him by the people that brought about the celebration of the heritage week which is meant to celebrate Easter and promote opportunities in the state.
He added that the 2011 Heritage Week kicked off earlier in the week with the Fela Show and will climaxed with the Carnival and Boat Regatta.
The governor also said all the costumes adorned by all the participants at the Lagos carnival were made in Lagos and a proof of the people oriented programmes of the present administration to give jobs to Lagosians.
He said with the successful organization of the festival, Lagos State has taken leadership position in many ways with the image of the state growing in leaps and bounds.
The governor emphasised that the administration will use the carnival to expand the economic sector towards providing more jobs to the people.
Governor Fashola also noted that the recently concluded elections will signpost the readiness of ensuring political stability in the country to the outside world and bring about accelerated development.
The various contingents of the participants had earlier gone in a procession through different routes like Falomo, Obalende, National Museum, Onikan to the Tafawa Balewa Square in a road show which was characterised by beautiful leg works and display.
All the six educational districts in Lagos were represented at the parade which also featured areas like, Ikeja, Ketu, Agege, Ifako- Ijaiye, Ikorodu Ogba, Isolo, Surulere, Odi- Olowo, Mushin, Ilasamaja, Oworonshoki, Awoyaya, Addo, Langbasa, Epe and Badagry which all joined the traditional Fanti groups of Campos Lafiaji, Epetedo and Oko Faji in the beautiful display and a spirit of broader participation.
An array of personalities including members of the State Executive Council, members of the organizing committee and the Chairman, Mr Disun Holloway and invited guests watched with excitement as the various groups marched past the dignitaries.