The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in partnership with Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) and African Coconut Heritage Initiative (AFRICOCO), has concluded plans to stage the biggest coconut fiesta across Africa tagged ‘Agunkefest 2021’, in Badagry, between Thursday 25th and Saturday 27th of November, 2021.
A release signed by the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, said the fiesta is geared towards preservation, promotion and development of coconut heritage of Lagos State.
He highlighted activities slated for the annual coconut festival celebration to include: coconut tree planting, coconut stakeholders and economic forum, coconut value exchange, exhibition tours, coconut cooking demonstration, coconut fashion show, schools arts, crafts and painting competitions, beach soccer community competitions, AGUNKEFEST Community Carnival show and cultural/musical performances.
Bonu, who acknowledged the economic, environmental, health and tourism importance of coconut plantation, also added that the annual celebration will further unravel other benefits of coconut and how it can be used for tourism promotion and medical wellness, among others.
The Special Adviser recalled that the first coconut plantation was established in Topo Island area in Badagry by the Roman Catholic Mission in 1876, adding that it was later followed with the planting and replanting of the coconut plantation across the State, especially along the 180 km coastal belt of Lagos State with about 30,000 farming families.
“According to statistics, Lagos accounts for about 70% of the national reserve while Nigeria ranks 18th in world coconut production”, the Special Adviser stated.
The event, he said, would have in attendance top government functionaries, traditional rulers, popular Nollywood faces, lovers of arts and other participants, stressing that it would be the biggest coconut fiesta across Africa with attendance of both local and international value chain actors.
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