As the 18th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, ends in Lagos this weekend, residents, participants and enthusiasts have more than the various categories of medals to look forward to. This is coming on the heels of several arrangements that have been put in place by the Local Organising Committee, LOC, and other partners to showcase an array of entertaining performances to make the event a memorable one.

Friday Flavour gathered that one of such events being put together is Nigerian Sports and Entertainment Village Nite, NISEV, coordinated by Heartlinks Events. It comes up today at the Eagle Club, Surulere, Lagos at 4.00 p.m. NISEV, whose primary motive is to showcase ‘Nigerian talents through the generations’, will be presenting sessions like ankara competition, ewii rendition, dance, drama and the Nollywood surprise act.

Some notable artistes who would be part of the Nollywood surprise act event are: Fred Amata, Benita Nzeribe, Chico Ejiro, Charles Novia, Bunmi Nelson (Sexy Choco), Segun Arinze and Saidi Balogun. Dejumo Lewis of the Village Headmaster fame will also be available in a special appearance where he would talk about Nigeria today, yesterday and the future. Paul Adams and Bukky Wright would anchor the event as hosts. Highpoints of the evening include prizes for the Best Dressed Guest in ankara and the Best Dancer.
The event, which is endorsed by the Eko 2012 LOC with support of the Lagos State Judo Association, is also being sponsored by Indomie noodles, Eagle Club and Dansa Juice.

“Indomie is providing a mobile kitchen where guests will be served their favourite meal in different flavours sizzling hot”, said Heartlinks’ representative, Kemi Otegbade who also confirmed to Friday Flavour that getting into the arena for this event is free, so long as the person is dressed in green ankara in the spirit of patriotism. “Yes, it is free, so long as the person is well-dressed in ankara fabric that reflects our national colours, which is green and white.

The person has to be creative about the way he or she would appear because prizes would also be given to the best-dressed people as well. But essentially the idea is to promote what holds us together as a nation. The sports festival was conceived to promote unity, and the NISEV has the same objective. It is always done whenever there is an event of this nature.

I guess it is in this spirit that some of the partners have been supportive, which we are generously grateful for”. On Sunday, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the LOC will also be showcasing an array of performers, to thrill the audience who would be converging to herald the end of the fiesta which kicked off nearly two weeks ago.

According to a statement from the Local Organising Committee, so much has been put into the fiesta to make it part of the annals of sports history. Save from calisthenics, a carnival is expected at the closing ceremonies which will start at 5.00 p.m. Kweku Tandoh, secretary general of the LOC, disclosed that 2face, Wizkid, Wande Cole and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K-1 de Ultimate) are some of the reigning Nigerian musical acts that would also be on hand to entertain the guests.

“The opening ceremony, like closing ceremony of such event is usual a bit more carefree in terms of it being more fun, more of a party, more of a carnival atmosphere that notwithstanding, the LOC is putting together a closing ceremony. That would remain in the mind of Nigerians and even the rest of the world”, he said.

According to Tandoh, the closing ceremony is being packaged to highlight the tourism potentials of the state. “In the history of sports festivals in the country, Lagos has been able to retain the scheduled date, without any postponement and beginning preparations in just one year. I believe we have been able to break new grounds and set new standards that subsequent festivals and hosts will build upon to take Nigerian sports to where it is supposed to be”.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/entertainment-meets-sports-at-eko-2012-finals/