The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with the Lagos State Coconut Development Authority (LASCODA) and the African Coconut Heritage Initiative (AFRICOCO), has completed plans to hold Africa’s largest coconut fiesta, titled ‘Agunkefest 2021,’ in Badagry from November 25 to 27.
According to a press release issued by Mr. Solomon Bonu, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, the fiesta is aimed at preserving, promoting, and developing Lagos State’s coconut history.
Among the activities planned for the annual coconut festival celebration are the 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 emphasized the importance of coconut plantations in terms of economics, the environment, health, and tourism, also stated that the yearly celebration will uncover further benefits of coconut and how it may be used for tourism promotion and medical wellness, among other things.
The Special Adviser recalled that the Roman Catholic Mission established the first coconut plantation in the Topo Island area of Badagry in 1876, and that it was later followed by the planting and replanting of coconut plantations across the state, particularly along the 180-kilometer coastal belt of Lagos State, which has 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.
He added that top government officials, traditional rulers, popular Nollywood actors, art lovers, and other participants, would attend the event, which he described as Africa’s largest coconut fiesta, with participation from both local and international value chain actors.
