Lagosians spend N36bn on Owambe annually —Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, weekend, said more than N36
billion was spent annually by Lagos residents in organizing different
social events.
This came as the governor said the solution to the unemployment crisis
in the country did not require any foreign idea, saying "the answer is
a Made in Nigeria strategy."
The governor spoke at the fourth edition of the Lagos Ignite
Enterprise and Employability project, a joint youth empowerment
programme between the government and the Afterschool Graduate
Development Centre, AGDC.
The event attracted hundreds of youths, ex-Chief Executive Officer of
the Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Ali
Baba among other dignitaries.
Fashola explained that the figure was collated after a careful study
of social events especially party life in Lagos.
According to him, "this was the study of night life carried out by the
government in five local governments including Agege, Mushin,
Ifako-Ijaiye and Ikeja and another local government. It showed that
more than N36 billion was spent on 1555 parties held within the
period.
"We did a study between October and November last year, we took just
five local governments in Lagos; Agege, Mushin, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikeja
and another one.
"We studied from Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, three days
every week for four weeks which was 12 nights.
"In 12 nights, 1555 parties were held in these local governments. In
terms of drinks, food and all other engagements during such parties,
about N1.2 billion was spent and when we dis-aggregated them we saw
how much went to DJ, MC, food and drinks, the total picture in the
state now and I don't want to give you a wrong number but it's
something in the region of about N3 billion monthly on that side of
our life and people are playing and impacting on that side of our
economy.
The governor noted that clothing materials worn during such parties
popularly called "Aso-ebi" gulped at least N1.2 billion monthly,
saying the market is huge with much yet to be tapped from it."