The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, has urged the organisers of the 40th anniversary of the famous FESTAC 77 to involve the traditional rulers in the planning process in order to help Nigerians reenact their traditional values, customs and cultures.
The monarch said this while responding to questions from the management and staff of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Lagos office that paid him a courtesy call in Ile-Ife.
They were accompanied with editors and reporters from the editorial and the multi-media departments of the agency .
The oba said that Festac “77 brought love and unity to Nigeria , the host nation then, from all the 59 countries that participated in the one-month-long event.
NAN reports that the Centre for Black African Arts and Culture (CBAAC) is planning to organize events that would commemorate 40 years of Festac’77 from this April to propagate the values and originality of black culture.
It was also initiated to improve and develop the African culture and Nigeria in particular most importantly to leave a legacy that younger generations will live to remember and uphold.
Ogunwusi said that Festac ” 77 brought people of all races and nationalities to Nigeria to showcase their arts, culture and traditions, adding no festival had since surpassed it.
He said that Festac “77 projected the modernisation of cultures and also put forth the ideology of race equality between Africa and other continents of the world.
Ogunwusi said, “Festac ” 77 can rightly be seen as a demonstration and call for African unity and cultural development.
“Festac 77 at 40 is worth celebrating and it will receive my support because of the great legacies it left behind after Nigeria hosted it,’’ he said
