The Easter celebration in Lagos state was spiced with the Carreta festival staged on Lagos Island. The island was agog on Easter Monday as residents were treated to a carnival otherwise called “Fanti Carnival.” The carnival is an age-long tradition among Lagos Islanders, especially the descendants of Brazilian slave returnees. The annual carnival rounds off the week-long activities of the Lagos Heritage week.

As early as eight o’clock in the morning, carnival troops representing each council development area in the state marched round their communities before moving to Lagos Island and some parts of Ikoyi.

The final destination for the entire carnival float was the historical Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, where they showcased their different costumes and make-up.

At about noon, the children carnival comprising students from selected secondary schools from all the council areas also trooped in to the TBS, to showcase their costumes and dance steps.

The wife of the Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola who was dressed in the carnival regalia made the revelers happy by dancing with them.

The carnival featured ingenious costumes fashioned in the likeness of various objects and animals including ducks, butterflies, jet, boat, and different types of masks featured in pleasant and attractive colours.

One design which got the attention of all those present at the TBS was a sculptural design of former Governor Bola Tinubu dressed in a woman’s attire, the sight of the revelers parading the design elicited laughter from the crowd.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the costumes were made by students of vocational and skill acquisition centre at Isheri council area of the state.

The State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola joined by his wife, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola and Deputy Governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope Adefulire while addressing the gathering reiterated the need for peaceful co-existence and urged everyone to remain vigilant and be their brothers’ keeper.

He explained that there is a need for everyone to be peaceful and to respect each other’s choice, adding that it is only when there is peace that such kind of carnival can take place.

“Let me congratulate all of you for this season of Easter, a season of sacrifice and triumph. I urge you that as you go from here, you must expect that we will triumph over all our challenges.”

“It is my pleasure to be here with you at this year 2014 Carnival called LASGIDI. It has been a whole week of fun from Badagry to the waterways in the Regatta and many other activities at the Freedom Park”.

He added that the Carnival represents the real spirit of Lagos which is a spirit of prosperity after prosperity, adding that all of the materials, the fabrics, feathers and sequins used for the costumes have been sold out in the markets.

Visitors from as far as the Caribbean, the United States and various parts of Africa came to watch the carnival which is fast becoming an international event.

One of such visitors, Miss Ethel Hoseas who said it was her third time of attending the carnival commended the inclusion of children but wants the organizers to give participants a free hand in designing their costumes.

Those trading in soft drinks, water and snacks as well as food made brisk business at the event.

Souvenir sellers were not left out in the fast business.

It was indeed a festival of colours, fun and entertainment rolled into one as many who witnessed it look forward to another Caretta festival next year.

Guests at the event included Tourism Minister, Mr Edem Duke, Commissioners and other top government officials, elder statesman, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas and former Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele.