It’s been a rollercoaster year in this part of the world, what with the skyrocketing dollar to the diving naira, increased fuel prices and financial stress all around. But there were bright spots too, moments that brought laughter and smiles to our faces, left us in awe and gave us hope that all is not lost. What’s more, Lagos was typically at the centre of it all.

Here are 7 iconic moments that made 2016 unforgettable (in no particular order) …

SUNNY ON SUNDAY

Sure, there’s no ranking to this but elders must be respected, especially when it’s one who is a two-time Grammy nominee and has spent half a century performing on stage. Yes, 50 years! Who can beat that? Foremost Juju musician, King Sunny Ade was massively celebrated on his 70th birthday this year in Lagos and it will be a moment to remember for a long time to come. He also had his guitar auctioned for over N50 million.

TECH PLUS 2016

With the theme ‘A Connected World’, one of Africa’s foremost technological conferences held in Lagos, this July, contributing more to the region’s conversation on technology and innovation. Tech Plus 2016 was held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, gathering thousands of participants in the guise of tech enthusiasts,  panelists, exhibitors, gamers and hackers, and so much more.

MARK ZUCKERBERG’S VISIT

Still speaking of tech, what could be bigger than Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg visiting Lagos? Nothing, as far as our tech industry is concerned matches that. Dude walked through the streets of Yaba without security, jogged on the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge, ate Jollof and Pounded Yam, crashed a music video, hung out with Nollywood shakers, visited Landmark Centre, Co-Creation Hub, and Andela.

ASA LIVE IN LAGOS CONCERT

It was indeed a night etched in countless minds as one of Nigeria’s biggest musical exports in recent times, Asa, shut down Lagos on May 1st, 2016 in her first ever concert on Nigerian shores. It was a night replete with top performances from some of Nigeria’s shining lights on the alternative music scene – Bez, Falana, Isaac Geralds, Kaline and Rachel Kerr. Still, none of them worked the crowd into as much of a frenzy as Asa did when she got on stage. A major highlight of the night was when songwriter/music producer Cobhams Asuquo, who produced Asa’s debut album, joined her on stage to performed a cover of Beyonce’s “Halo”.

LAGOS CITY MARATHON

Over 20,000 athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria, Cameroon, India and other countries around the world gathered to vie for $50,000 in prize money at the inaugural Lagos City Marathon. It was a one of it’s kind event in terms of the sheer magnitude of the contest and participants. The marathon was won by a Kenyan, Abraham Kipton.

LAGOS FASHION AND DESIGN WEEK

The Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week held from October 26th- 29th this year and there were even more exciting events lined up to overshadow previous editions. Themed ‘Connecting the dots’, the 2016 edition of one of the foremost fashion events in Africa marks the 6th year the show launched and this time around, the aim was to connect consumers and designers with the possibility of shopping straight off the runway.

ONE LAGOS FIESTA

An icing on the cake of what has been an eventful year filled with landmark happenings, the One Lagos Fiesta is the government’s attempt to continue fostering the spirit of unity among citizens. More than this, it is an intense week of celebrating the rich, artistic, cultural heritage of the state, unearthing a new generation of artists, while providing premium entertainment from some of the country’s biggest stars. Currently ongoing across 5 key locations in the state, the festival boosts the state’s tourist potential while ushering citizens into the New Year in style.