Arts - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Philip Daniel Yatai
May, Thu, 2025

CBAAC reaffirms Nigeria’s leadership in cultural diplomacy, prepares for FESTAC @50

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By Naomi Sharang

Director-General of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Aisha Augie, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s leading position in cultural diplomacy on the African continent.

This, she said, was even as the country geared up for the golden jubilee of one of its most historic cultural events—FESTAC.

Augie, while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday after a closed-door session with the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, emphasised Nigeria’s enduring legacy in promoting African culture globally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism is chaired by Sen. Ogoshi Onawo (PDP-Nasarawa).

Augie described Nigeria’s cultural impact as ‘unmatched’, citing the FESTAC ’77 as a landmark event that placed the country at the centre of Africa’s cultural revival.

According to her, the FESTAC at 50, slated for 2027, offers another opportunity to showcase the richness of African heritage.

The director-general, who stated that FESTAC ’77 laid the foundation for cultural unity and cooperation across the continent, said that preparations for the anniversary were already underway.

“As we approach 50 years since that historic gathering, we must build on the legacy,” she said.

Augie also noted the significant infrastructure and policy milestones that accompanied the festival, many of which, she said, had continued to serve as cultural landmarks in Nigeria.

“From the National Theatre in Lagos to FESTAC Town, the legacy of that moment endures,” she added.

The director-general said that the committee acknowledged the importance of adequately funding cultural institutions in order to harness Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“The senate assured us that cultural bodies like CBAAC will receive the budgetary backing needed to carry out their mandates,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Arts, culture veritable tools for inclusive economic growth – Minister

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Fri, 2024

Culture & Tourism

Arts, culture veritable tools for inclusive economic growth – Minister

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By Philip Yatai

Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has described arts, culture and traditions of FCT residents as veritable tools for inclusive economic growth.

Mahmoud stated this at the close of the 11th Edition of the Abuja Festival of Arts and Culture (ASOFEST), in Abuja on Thursday.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Olubumi Olowookere, noted that FCT was blessed with rich and unique culture, customs and traditions.

She said that the 11th edition of the ASOFEST, with the theme, “Sustaining the Renewed Hope Agenda through Efficient Management of Cultural Resources”, seeks to build and promote culture as a creative economy.

Mahmoud stressed that arts and culture were critical tools in the quest to transform the nation’s economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.

This, she said, would promote peace, prosperity and unity, thereby boosting food and national security.

She reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people and residents of the territory

She said that through ASOFEST, the FCT Administration was not only preserving but also promoting and showcasing the FCT’s unique arts, culture and traditions to the world.

“The FCT Administration is poised to protect, preserve, promote and showcase our rich cultural heritage, diversity, uniqueness and traditions to the world.

“This, we are doing through cultural exchange and exhibition at our own annual ASOFEST.

“The festival has afforded us the opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the people and residents of FCT.

“Even the people who settled and made FCT their home, we equally appreciate the dynamism of their different cultures,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had promised to develop the territory’s arts, culture and tourism potential.

Wike said at the opening of the two-day event that the move would preserve, promote and showcase FCT’s cultural heritage to the world.

He said that President Bola Tinubu had given a matching order to the FCTA, to harness the tourism potential of the federal capital, with a view to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru