The Minister of Information and
Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has lauded former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s
roles in successful hosting of the historic FESTAC `77 as the military Head of
State.
Mohammed spoke on Friday evening
in Abeokuta at a programme organised by the Centre for Black Arts and Africa
Civilisation (CBAAC), marking Obasanjo’s 80th birthday and celebration of
FESTAC `77 at 40.
The minister, represented by Mr
George Ufot, the General Manager, National Theatre, said, “Indeed, the history
of FESTAC ’77 hosted by Nigeria in 1977 will be incomplete without making
reference to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We all recall how Obasanjo
and other heroes of FESTAC ’77 rose above the pervasive cultural intolerance
that was prevalent at the period leading to the festival.
“I am particularly pleased, because today’s programme is designed
to honour an illustrious son of Africa, a culture advocate and a true
Pan-Africanist on his 80th birthday.’’
Mohammed expressed happiness for the creative industry and
economic content of the programme for the commemoration of FESTAC ’77 by CBAAC.
“The creative industry is one sector that can be a money spinner for African
economies if properly harnessed,’’ he said.
The minister said that the celebration would also offer a
veritable platform to intensify campaign for continued cultural exchange,
understanding and unity among black and African countries.
He said that it would also provide an avenue for the revival, recapture
and update of the cultural artistry and ingenuity of Africans.
Also, the Director-General of CBAAC, Chief Ferdinand Anikwe, urged
Nigerians to learn from the Asian countries popularly called the “Asian
Tigers’’ which had a robust economy grown through cultural industries and
creative economies.
“In celebrating FESTAC ’77 @ 40, we need to look into the role of
cultural industries and the creative economy in revamping Nigeria and Africa’s
ailing economies.
“Permit me to say that the current economic quagmire of Nigeria is
the fallout of the neglect of her cultural and creative industries. “Nigeria is
very rich in simple things as pottery, leather works, textiles, blacksmithing
and a host of others,” he said.
Anikwe, however, described Obasanjo as “a soldier, an ebullient
administrator, a successful farmer, prolific writer and a quintessential
crusader for the total emancipation of Africa and the black race.
“It is curious coincidence that as we are celebrating the 40th
anniversary of FESTAC `77, the pillar and driving force of the epoch making
festival is equally celebrating his 80th birthday.’’
“FESTAC ’77, also known as the Second World Black and African
Festival of Arts and Culture (the first was in Dakar, 1966), was a cultural
jamboree held in Lagos, from Jan.15 to Feb.12, 1977.
“The month-long event celebrated African culture and showcased to
the world African music, fine art, literature, drama, dance and religion.
“About 16,000 participants, representing 56 African nation and
countries of the African Diaspora, performed at the event.
“Artists, who performed at the festival included Stevie Wonder,
Gilberto Gil from Brazil, Bembeya Jazz National from Guinea, Mighty Sparrow,
Les Ballets Africains, and Franco Luambo Makiadi.
“At the time it was held, it was the largest pan-African
gathering,’’ Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, is quoted as saying.
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