Poor turnout of people at the 2015 Lagos Carnival marred the event staged on Saturday at the historical Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) on the island.
Dignitaries and fun seekers at the event expressed disappointment that in spite of the publicity given it the turnout was unimpressive.
The attendees, who also complained of lateness in starting the carnival, which they attributed to the current traffic jams across the Lagos metropolis as a result of the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.
Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, the traditional ruler of Igbobi-Sabe in Yaba, told NAN:“They started this year’s carnival late at about 1.40 p.m. unlike in 2014 when it started at about 10.00 a.m.
“I have been at the venue since 10.00 a.m. because I thought they will start early. I am disappointed that this year’s edition started late.”
Adeniyi said fuel scarcity being experienced in the country affected the carnival.
Fatai Olukoga, the Special Adviser on Education, said in spite of the delay in starting the programme it would be a worthwhile event at the end of the day.
He said the programme was delayed for what he called some logistics.
“It took me time to get fuel to driver my car to the carnival venue. Scarcity of fuel is one major reason why there was low turnout,” he said.
Oba Munirudin Olatunji, the Onigbongbo of Ikeja, also expressed disappointment with the late commencement of the carnival.
“I arrived here at about 9.45 a.m. and this is 12.06 p.m. without any evidence that the event will start soon.”
A power lifter, Amuda Azeez, also noted that last year’s carnival attracted more people than the 2015 edition.
He, however, expressed optimism that in spite of the situation people would still be entertained by the rich cultural displays.
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