The Director-General, CBAAC, Hon. Olubunmi Amao has noted that cultural diversity should be an integrating mechanism for nation building in Africa.
The DG, who was the former Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, stated this at the ongoing commemoration of the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) @ 45 themed: “Cultural Diversity, Integration and Nation Building in Africa and the Diaspora: Forty-Five (45) Years After FESTAC” in Abuja.
According to her, FESTAC was an epochal event that revived the hope and aspirations of Black and African peoples in a world where they were treated without respect, dignity and recognition.
She explained that Nigeria’s acceptance to organize FESTAC was majorly influenced by the need to recall, record and document the contributions of Africa and peoples of African descent throughout the world to human civilization.
Hon. Amao further explained that FESTAC equally took place to project African cultures to the world and strengthen historical connection and relationship between Africa and the Diaspora.
Olubunmi said CBAAC is organising this International Colloquium in recognition of the importance of FESTAC to the history of the Black and African people as part of the activities to commemorate FESCTAC @ 45.
“It is very important to note that Cultural diversity should be an integration mechanism for nation building in Africa.
“FESTAC was an epochal event that revived the hope and aspirations of Black and African peoples in a world where they were treated without respect, dignity and recognition.
“Nigeria’s acceptance to organize FESTAC was majorly influenced by the need to recall, record and document the contributions of Africa and peoples of African descent throughout the world to human civilization.
“FESTAC equally took place to project African cultures to the world and strengthen historical connection and relationship between Africa and the Diaspora.
“It is instructive to mention that the theme of the Colloquium has been carefully selected by the Centre to interrogate and reassess how the continent has fared forty five years after FESTAC.
“This conference will also examine the various factors inhibiting growth and development of the continent and the diaspora.
“The Colloquium also hopes to fashion out effective ways of managing cultural diversity in both the(continental and diaspora) so as to engineer and establish the much needed progressive changes in Africa and the diaspora in the 21st century?
“It is in recognition of the importance of FESTAC to the history of the Black and African people that CBAAC is organising this International Colloquium as part of the activities to commemorate FESCTAC @ 45.” She said.
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