Protocols

The government and people of Nigeria are indeed grateful to UNESCO for the rare offer of a universal platform for this maiden commemoration of the 30 th anniversary of FESTAC ‘77 on a global scale, in a manner reminiscent of the atmosphere of the real festival when it was held in Lagos Nigeria, some thirty years ago. FESTAC '77 provided avenues for the celebration of brotherhood and solidarity.

As an event which brought together peoples of Black and African descent in numbers that were hitherto unimagined, FESTAC ‘77 has perhaps remained the greatest cultural fiesta that the world has ever known. With participants drawn from fifty-nine Black and African countries and communities, FESTAC '77, contrary to some erroneous views in some quarters, was a worthy celebration and its legacies deserve patronage and celebration as is being witnessed at the moment.

Interestingly, Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), an offshoot of FESTAC '77 has been engaged in the propagation and promotion of global understanding and appreciation of Black and African arts and culture. With the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, CBAAC has remained continental and global in the discharge of its mandate and socio-cultural in its appeal.

Indeed, it is most gratifying to note that its idea of reenacting the memory of FESTAC ‘77 is being given a fillip by UNESCO at a critical time when the entire world appears to be in dire need of cultural renaissance to address some of the challenges of the twenty-first century. It is also commendable that Ford Foundation, Nigeria, is proudly and modestly supporting this FESTAC '77 30 th Anniversary commemoration initiative.

CBAAC and indeed Nigeria would like to remind everyone that the Exhibits on display here represent only a small fraction of the entire original objects brought on display by the participating countries and communities at FESTAC '77 in custody of CBAAC. In addition to the extensive collection of artifacts, art works and works of arts, are FESTAC colloquium documents in different languages all of which are available in CBAAC's library.

Permit me to express on behalf of Government and people of Nigeria sincere appreciation to UNESCO and the Africa Group for giving the much-needed support that made this exhibition a reality. We appreciate all individuals and organizations that have been instrumental to the success of this outing for Nigeria and I call on Black and African peoples through this platform to think FESTAC, revisit its messages and live its spirit.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ATTENTION.