The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) says the commemoration of the Festival of Black Arts and Culture of 1977 at 45 (FESTAC ’77 @ 45) will revamp the nation’s economy.

“Our children and youths need to know what culture is actually all about. To me, tourism and culture can revive our economy,” the director-general of CBAAC, Oluwabunmi Amao, said while speaking with reporters in Abuja.

Ms Amao added that FESTAC ’77 @ 45 aimed to revive culture to contribute its quota in diversifying the nation’s economy from oil earnings.

“We should not only just sit down and say oil and petroleum. Now, how much are they selling petrol? There is a need to revive our culture, farming and agriculture.

“Let us start thinking of what will revamp our economy. I know culture is one of what we are talking about,” the CBAAC chief said.

FESTAC ’77 @ 45, organised by CBAAC, will be held in Abuja from December 5 to 11 to showcase to the world African music, fine arts, literature, drama, dance and religion.

“The event will attract all the African blacks all over the world. I mean blacks in America, Brazil, Cuba, Ethiopia and others.

“But what we are doing this time around because of COVID-19, we are using their community here in Nigeria. All of them have embassies.

“Ambassadors have already agreed to be part of this occasion. We are going to use their community to showcase something similar to FESTAC ’77.

“Instead of bringing them from their main countries, there is no money to do that now, but we can achieve the same thing by using their communities here in Nigeria,” she said.

According to her, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs participation encourages all the embassies to participate and be part of the event.

FESTAC ’77, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, was a major international festival held in Lagos from January 15 to February 12, 1977.  

(NAN)