by Isi Esene

Lagos is described as Africa’s future mega city. From its architectural beauty to the first suspension bridge, to the new Atlantic tourist haven called Eko Atlantic and the world-class trade terminal a la the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos is being made and remade.

Lagos has more to offer the world. Lagos is not just about a boastful future, but about a rich past and an exciting present- all in constant transition. Lagos is not just a place; it is a movement-and it is the people that embody its essence. Like a magnet, it attracts talents, skills, passion from all across the country.

Lagos expands to accommodate every new arrival-the poet with his new rhymes, the artist with his new lyrics, the fashion designer with her Haute Couture and Nollywood with its plethora of new movies shot on location in Lagos. Every day, millions of Lagosians brave the odds to eke out a living for themselves in this concrete jungle. This constant struggle has created a unique image for the Lagosian. The paradox of poverty and plenty, chaos and solitude in the midst of noise. The more we study this phenomenon; Lagos is an experience that lives in us. The real Eko is the sum of its contradictions.

Come August 24^th, 2013, at the Expo Centre of Eko Hotel, the Creative Nigeria Project will invite the world to discover the liquid wonder of Lagos in a Broadway-style theatre production called ‘Eko the Musical’-.a trifecta of dance, music and dance weaved into an extraordinary tale of two eras connected by the pursuit of love and significance.

The musical chronicles tireless ambition, love and perseverance that typifies Lagos City. .The drama was created as part of the “Experience Eko” a series of events that engages the millions of talented and creative youths all over Nigeria who share a sense of belonging to Lagos, using their creativity to amplify the beauty and character of Lagos to the world. It also shows why, though the world around Lagos may change, Lagos has, and will always be the same.

The Experience Eko project will run for three (3) months and comprises a theatre musical, art exhibition, music competition, short story competition, a photography contest and short film/documentary festival-all of international standard.

The plan is to engage directly with millions of Lagosians, to connect and share what Lagos means to them.

Creative Nigeria sits at the intersection of artistry and advocacy, using creative content as a tool for shaping the mental infrastructure of the people, enlightening social conversations, preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and re-introducing eroding values to the youth and a new generation through innovative and unconventional means.

According to Ferdinand Adimefe, the Curator of the Creative Nigeria is all about bringing strong intellectual value to entertainment and making intellectual content entertaining in a way that it will be empowering.

There will be an Art Exhibition (Eko L’ana, Eko L’oni, Eko Lola)  which will tap into the creative restlessness of the youth in Nigeria who seek an outlet for their artistic and or abstract abilities.

The short story competition  will use the art of storytelling to explore the comical side of Lagos,while the documentary competition is designed to allow residents of the Lagos to tell their own story.

The music competition (Sounds of Eko), a precursor to Eko the Musical, will tap into the talents of those who can sing or produce beats to express their Lagos in a song while the photography competition, “Eko through my Eyes” will exploit  the extraordinary power of photographs to tell a compelling story about Lagos.