Ambode changes lagos new year tradition

You're referring to the changes made by Akinwunmi Ambode, the former Governor of Lagos State, to the traditional New Year's Day celebration in Lagos.

Prior to Ambode's administration, the traditional New Year's Day celebration in Lagos involved a grand procession of the Governor and other dignitaries from the State House to the National Stadium, where they would participate in a special church service. The event was usually attended by thousands of people and was a major highlight of the New Year's celebrations in the state.

However, in 2017, Ambode's administration decided to change the format of the celebration. Instead of the traditional procession and church service, the Governor opted for a more low-key celebration, which involved a special thanksgiving service at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

The decision was reportedly taken to reduce the cost of the celebration and to make it more intimate and family-oriented. The Governor also used the occasion to thank Lagosians for their support and to pray for the state's continued progress and development.

While some people welcomed the change, others felt that it was a departure from the traditional celebration and that it lacked the pomp and pageantry that had become synonymous with the event. Nevertheless, the new format has been maintained by subsequent administrations in the state, and the New Year's Day celebration in Lagos continues to be an important event in the state's calendar.