Hearing the name “Banana Island”, one could imagine the area
being set aside for banana plantation. But it is not so. The name is derived
from the banana- shape of the island as portrayed by the aerial photograph.
Banana Island is an area of Ikoyi-Lagos, Nigeria, 8.6km east
of Tafawa Balewa Square. The area is part of the Lagos Local Government Area of
Eti-Osa in Central Lagos, and it is known for its wealthy, multi-cultural
community and has some of the most expensive real estate in Nigeria. The Island
also has one of the highest densities of millionaires within the country.
The Banana Island is known for being a community in Nigeria
with the presence of people from virtually all the continents of the world. You
would think it should be difficult for residents of the place to mingle freely
or even know each other due to the quietude and the untainted environment of
the area. But the Banana Island residents, through their annual cultural
festival, which is a celebration of different nationalities living within the
island, get to know themselves and the nationalities feel at home though they
are hundred miles far away from their original homes.
The festival which was first celebrated in 2015 has become a
yearly celebration showcasing what countries, irrespective of colours and race,
can do when they unite together. The level of conviviality among the residents,
though multi-cultural, is demonstrated in the festival.
At the festival, which is annually staged at the Oval Garden
in the Banana Island, allows residents to display their various culture, foods,
drinks, etc. At each stand, there is a placard bearing the nationals, Poland,
France, South Africa, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Rwanda, Italy, Cameroon, Jamaica,
Philippine, India, Japan, Indonesia, etc. Their flags are shown and their
national anthem being sang.
There is so much to eat and drink. As part of the fun, you
can just get into any of the stand of the countries represented there and get a
taste of the foods and drinks. You can also get to interact with them to know
their countries and their tribes.
The festival is just about
bringing the different countries together and making them feel at home, and
lots of music accompanies with dancing take the stage. Each country
representatives are allowed to take the stage to entertain the audience in
their respective local music and dances. It is just all about having fun, as
you get to know each of the country representatives without traveling in the
air to visit their countries.
This year festival which is
themed “Looking Back, Giving Back” is a huge networking /bonding activity that
the community looks forward to annually.
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