The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CBAAC

  • MOWAA partners with NGA, CBAAC to preserve Nigerian art, culture

    MOWAA partners with NGA, CBAAC to preserve Nigerian art, culture

    Nigeria’s cultural heritage has received a significant boost as the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) signed agreements with the National Gallery of Art (NGA) and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).

    The partnerships aim to enhance the preservation of Nigeria’s art and historical archives while expanding access to research and exhibitions.

    The collaboration, which will run for five years, is designed to digitize archives, promote institutional exchanges, and offer scholarships to encourage research into Nigeria’s rich artistic legacy.

    It will also focus on developing homegrown perspectives on both renowned and lesser-known Nigerian artists.

    A major aspect of the partnership is building conservation expertise through training and skill transfer. MOWAA will provide technical support to public collections, helping to preserve important artworks and artifacts.

    Speaking on the collaboration, Ore Disu, Director of MOWAA Institute, highlighted the significance of the initiative.

    “This partnership positions MOWAA as a leading resource in the region, offering our expertise and state-of-the-art facilities to institutions across Nigeria,” Disu said. “Our goal is to help safeguard and promote Nigeria’s artistic traditions through restoration, training, publications, and exhibitions.”

    The agreement covers key areas aimed at preserving and promoting Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage. MOWAA will provide its conservation facilities to help protect selected artworks from the NGA and CBAAC collections, with experts assessing, restoring, and maintaining culturally significant pieces. Joint research initiatives will also be launched to improve archive management and develop sustainable conservation techniques suited to African art.

    Additionally, the partnership will introduce training programs in art restoration, conservation, and digital archiving to enhance professional expertise in the sector.

    Public engagement will be encouraged through exhibitions, workshops, and lectures, fostering a deeper appreciation of Nigeria’s cultural legacy. To further strengthen the art sector, the institutions will share research findings, toolkits, and databases, ensuring broader access to historical and artistic resources.

    NGA Director-General Ahmed Sodangi described the agreement as a major breakthrough that will enhance professionalism in the sector.

    “This partnership is something we have been working on for a long time. It will create new opportunities, improve the capacity of our staff, and positively impact all stakeholders in the art sector,” Sodangi said.

    Similarly, CBAAC Director-General Aisha Augie expressed excitement about the initiative’s potential.

    “CBAAC is proud to be part of this historic effort to promote African identity and artistic excellence globally. By working together, we will not only preserve our heritage but also inspire future generations through research, publications, and creative innovation,” Augie noted.

    The first phase of the partnership is set to begin in the coming months. Elizabeth Adeyemo, MOWAA’s Head of Collections and Senior Conservator, shared details of the initial projects.

    “Nigerian artworks are highly valued globally, but limited storage and management capacity often exclude them from international exhibitions. With NGA’s leadership, we will begin by restoring some of Nigeria’s most prestigious 20th-century paintings. This summer, with support from Goethe-Institut Nigeria, we will pilot conservation efforts based on our experience with private collectors and institutions like the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi,” Adeyemo said.

    Read Also: ‘How MOWAA became tourist destination in 2025’

    The agreement marks a step forward in efforts to promote African art, both locally and internationally. It also aligns with national strategies to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage while increasing opportunities for artists, scholars, and the wider public to engage with their history.

    MOWAA, founded in 2020 in Benin City, is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating West African arts and culture. It supports research, exhibitions, and education in the arts.

    NGA, a federal agency under the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, was established in 1993 to showcase and protect Nigeria’s artistic heritage. It has over 25 outstations across the country.

    CBAAC was created after Nigeria hosted the 1977 World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77). The center houses a vast collection of artifacts and materials from the festival and works to promote African cultural identity globally.

    With the signing of this agreement, Nigeria is taking a major step in preserving its cultural history and ensuring that its artistic heritage remains a vital part of global conversations.

  • Ooni to crown Obasanjo Ruby King of Festac

    Ooni to crown Obasanjo Ruby King of Festac

    Due to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s contributions to the successful celebration of Festac 77 in 1977, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has concluded plans to crown him the Ruby King of Festac in May in Abuja.

    Dr Anikwe said the former president would be crowned the Ruby King of Festac and the Patron of African Culture by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll.

    The Director- General, CBAAC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that it was part of activities to commemorate four decades after the event was hosted by Nigeria.

    NAN reports that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military head of state when the country hosted the festival in 1977.

    It also reports that the crowning would form parts of the activities to celebrate Festac 77@40 that would start on April 1.

    “Obasanjo appears as the greatest, in terms of the promotion of African culture in the whole of Africa and the black world, by the singular effort he demonstrated by organising and hosting Festac 77.

    “There has not been any other event that can be compared with it; so, any form of positive accolade will not be too much for him.

    “In a rare understanding of what the event would contribute toward showcasing Black and African cultural heritage then, Obasanjo quickly made wise consultations, recognised the international festival committee and other communities.

    “He put square pegs in square holes, made funds available and eventually a festival that could be described as the largest assemblage of Black and African people worldwide was held from Jan.15, 1977 to Feb.12, 1977.

    “The event was not only momentarily successful; it could also be described as a watershed in the Pan- Africans’ struggle.

    “It is to Obasanjo’s eternal credit that Festac 77 covered the entire gamut of Black and African cultural heritage.’’

    Anikwe urged other Africans to emulate Obasanjo by doing things worthy of emulation, celebration, symbolism, recognisable and crowning, to earn the admiration of Africans.

    NAN reports that activities to mark Festac 77@ 40 would hold in over 10 states including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where the Mascot would be unveiled on April 1.

    It would also entail different cultural displays that would hold in some states including Katsina, Enugu, Ogun, Kaduna, Akwa- Ibom and some foreign countries.

  • CBAAC DG advocates promotion of black culture

    The Director General of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Dr Ferdinand Ikechukwu yesterday advocated for promotion of black culture.

    He spoke at the 1st cultural day celebration by the body in collaboration with The Department of Sociology, Covenant University (CU), Ota, Ogun State.

    Anikwe said African culture played key roles in the development of African societies but lamented colonialism and partitioning of the continent at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 left Africa fragmented and degraded.

    He differed with Kwame Nkrumah, stating that the famous Ghanaian nationalist had urged African nations to “seek first the political kingdom and all other things would be added unto them.”

    He said African nations soon found that while getting political kingdom earned them independence, it did not leave the continent better off.

    Africa, according to Anikwe, should have embarked on the search for cultural independence and prominence.

    He described language as the soul of culture, useful for cultural expression and promotion.

    He blamed the military interregnums in Nigeria for, among other ills, the rise of cultism.

    Praising the indigenous film industry for its enterprise and drive, Anikwe called for a paradigm shift which will make culture a cornerstone of all development initiatives.

    Reminding the audience of Africa’s status as the cradle of human civilisation, he deplored European imperialism for frustrating Africa’s technological ingenuity.

    Quoting academic sources, Anikwe highlighted ten cultural traits, which the various African cultures have always had in common.

    Some of these, he said, are respect for elders and constituted authority, morality, communication, harmony, accountability, social security and creativity.

    Anikwe recommended compulsory teaching of Africa’s history and culture in schools, use of indigenous languages to forestall the threat of their extinction and a healthy zestful promotion of African culture.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ali calls for revival of FESTAC

    A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Ahmadu Ali, has called for the revival of Festival for Arts and Culture (FESTAC).

    He also urged the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) to provide a centre for African studies in the country.

    Nigeria hosted the FESTAC in 1977.

    Ali made the call on Friday when the Director-General of CBAAC, Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe visited him in Abuja.

    “The centre for black studies will be like a centre for post graduate studies centre where you can bring in all our brothers in Nigeria and the diaspora to lecture and impact knowledge.

    “And from there, we can try to build on what we lost when we abandoned the spirit and importance of FESTAC.

    “FESTAC, as far as I am concerned was a one-in-a-million event because of the enormity of the arrangement.

    “CBAAC needs to create a centre where Nigerians can learn more about black cultures, norms and values,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the ex-PDP chairman as saying at the forum.

    Anikwe thanked Ali for giving him audience and promised to revive and keep the spirit of FESTAC alive.

    “The spirit of FESTAC is working in us and that is why we are visiting the people who actively participated in the FESTAC 77 event that are still alive.

    “We want you to use your powerful social connections, both within and outside Nigeria to attract people who are interested in its revival,’’ Anikwe said.

  • Uneasy calm at CBAAC

    Uneasy calm at CBAAC

    There is an uneasy calm at the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), over allegations and counter allegations of high-handedness and administrative lapses.  Edozie Udeze reports

    These are not the best of times for the culture sector, more so the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).  Crises of confidence is brewing amongst members of the management of the Centre on one hand, and some members of staff and the Director-General, Sir Ferdinand Anikwe on the other. The points at issue rest over whether some certain important official decisions and actions taken by the Anikwe-led administration strictly conformed to his call to duty and in compliance with the civil service rules.

    CBAAC is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation established soon after FESTAC’77 to take care of all the relics and historical materials and cultural artifacts used by numerous countries of the world for the festival.  Nigeria is only a custodian of the monuments on behalf of all Blacks in the world.

    Anikwe was seconded in August 2015 from the Enugu State Ministry of Information where he was a Permanent Secretary to head the Centre as its fourth D.G.  But since taking over tongues have been wagging and tempers rising as to whether all have been well for the Centre in the past one year.

    Origin of the storm

    Spearheading the battle against some decisions so far taken by Anikwe is Mrs. Nkechi Agubuzor, who was until recently the secretary to the CBAAC Board.  She alleged in an interview and some printed documents made available to The Nation that most of the issues bordering on the welfare of the Centre were not handled with the expediency they deserved.

    According to her, “I was employed as a Legal Officer by CBAAC in 2010.  At a point, I was made the secretary to the Board.  Now, my issues with the management started in August this year.  These have to do with some issues of irregularities.  First, I discovered that due to the position I held, there were certain official issues I needed to bring to the knowledge of management; in fact, those issues needed the urgent attention of the Director General.”

    Agubuzor stated how she brought some of these issues to the notice of the D.G. Some of these are the huge insurance money owed CBAAC staff by the NICON Insurance which was not being strictly adhered to.  “This matter was at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which involved CBAAC and NICON Insurance in which N138 million was involved.  The amount arose from the pension fund paid to us by the federal government.  This, NICON did not remit to us.  This was why we had to take NICON to court.  Instead, NICON decided to sue us along with other parastatals and corporations.  We were to be in court because the case had been on since 2014.”

    In the interim, according to her, CBAAC did not deem it fit to be in court, or even made any representation.  “There was already a ruling in the case.  I therefore directed the attention of the D.G. to the matter.”

    At this point, Agubuzor alleged, she was able to discover that the lawyer who was made to stand in for CBAAC was a relation of the D.G. and that due process was not followed in selecting him.

    Although a few staff of CBAAC who spoke anonymously could not ascertain whether this allegation made by Agubuzor concerning the lawyer was true or not, they only insisted that the lawyer in question whose name is Edwin Aniekwem has been CBAAC’s lawyer for a while.

    “Even from the sound of it, Aniekwem and Anikwe do not mean the same thing,” an impeccable source revealed to The Nation, saying “the only thing we are aware of is that the office of the lawyer is located in Ikeja area of Lagos State.”

    However, when the issue of Aniekwem became much heated, another legal practitioner NEDMEX Solicitors was brought in to serve as the legal representative for the case.  In this regard, Agubuzor noted that both Aniekwem and NEDMEX shared the same office address and telephone numbers.  At the end, N2.450 million was paid NEDMEX for the services, which Agubuzor, claimed that they did not deliver diligently.

    “Even when I applied to attend to the matter, the D.G. said it was not necessary.  As a matter of fact, he asked me to provide an invitation to be in court in Abuja for the matter.  He said we should allow the lawyer to handle it but I told him that the lawyer was not handling it well.”

    Just like Agubuzor, some older members of staff of the Centre were worried that the issue of pension concerning them might soon become a bigger case.  It was discovered that the judgment delivered by the court in Abuja was not in total compliance with the Pension Act of 2014.  As at now, the trust deed still being used by CBAAC for the administration of the pension fund is the trust deed of 18 years ago.  This trust deed is not only rustic, but outdated and out of use.  And for the funds to be properly administered and disbursed, the act has to be duly updated and followed.

    The cross fire 

    However, in reaction to this allegation, Anikwe made it clear that Agubuzor, in the first place, was not qualified to be the Board Secretary of CBAAC.

    According to him, “This woman is totally insubordinate.  She refused to obey the transfer order given to her.  In fact, the reason we posted her to the new place was that she applied to to go to the Federal Appeal Court in Abuja while the court was on recess.  And she also claimed that a case that had already been delivered in our favour was against us.  I couldn’t understand why she, as a lawyer, could take such a stand when the case had already been made clear.  She claimed she was going to search for materials for that case and I felt that it was bad for a lawyer to do this.  Based on this, we decided to transfer her.  Since then she has been going to town, publishing all kinds of stories, very unprintable things against my person and CBAAC.”

    Even though some members of CBAAC Board kept sealed lips over the issue, it was discovered that some of them saw in Agubuzor an overzealous worker who was not always well-disposed to her official duties.  “Even if you have a good point to make on certain issues, you shouldn’t make it personal.  It is clear that there are some decisions we should question here from time to time in order to function well, but we told ourselves that no one should make it a personal battle just to score cheap publicity,” an insider source told The Nation.  The source, a top management staff agreed that the internal squabble in CBAAC might tear the place to pieces if care is not taken.

    Based on the NICON Insurance imbroglio, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was made to stand on behalf of all the government departments and parastatals involved to defend them all in court.  “Yes, the court said NICON should pay us.  And we were already getting ready to be paid.  And now for a lawyer that should have briefed me to have missed the information… I didn’t want to punish her for that.  I only transferred her to another department within CBAAC,” Anikwe stated, insisting that Agubuzor disregarded an official order for her to handover her office key to the management.

    Concerning the issue of her suspension for three months without pay, Agubuzor explained it thus:  “The person who was made to take my position is not qualified to be there.  My suspension started from September 5 to last for three months without pay.  Before then I was made to face a panel.”

    She went on to claim that section 2 (9) of Karma Law stipulates that for the secretary to any public office to be so appointed, he or she must be a lawyer, a chartered accountant or a chartered secretary.  “But I told him he had no right to remove me as the secretary to the board, more so when I was not properly placed on my level at the point of employment.”

    Explaining that Agubuzor’s placement on the position was temporary, Anikwe observed, “In the first place, she is not qualified to be a board secretary.  She is on level 9.  The position of the board secretary was advertised at a point to show you how important it is, not only in CBAAC, but in other government establishments.

    “For you to be a board secretary, you have to be on at least level 12.  And it does not necessarily have to be a lawyer.  Apart from that, we found her incompetent to do the job.  As at the time she was suspended she had not produced the minutes of the last board meeting.  Even the queries given to her, she did not answer them.  The papers given to you by her did not get to us,” Anikwe explained.

    Another allegation leveled against Anikwe includes his employment of new staff for CBAAC without following the Federal Character Commission stipulated rules and norms.  Even though Agubuzor alleged that he employed over 100 new staff without due process, a document made available to The Nation on the issue shows only 85 names that were employed by Anikwe.  The information shows that 23 candidates were employed based strictly on the federal character commission.  Even when six of them were sponsored by Anikwe, the rest were candidates of mostly board members and top management personnel of the Centre spread also across the six-geopolitical zones of the country.

    Lull in activities

    Describing the employment as lope-sided, an aggrieved member of staff posited thus, “may be this is why some of us do not feel at home here any longer.  And I must tell you that many of us are not comfortable with this sort of setting.  The Centre should come up with a clear-cut programme that will make CBAAC a household name again.  You see, we were at a point when we were up to the bidding as a pan-African Centre.  But today everything has crumbled or are about to do so,” the source who pleaded anonymity, said, alleging also that most of the monthly overhead sent to run the Centre are no more used to organize regular programmes to keep the Centre alive.  “We are almost redundant here.  Before now, this place used to bubble with programmes and activities and the general public was in the know about CBAAC.”

    “This is not true,” the DG replied.  “The issue is indeed unnecessary.  You can see from what happens here in CBAAC that people are working.  Are they not working?  The offices are clean.  Has any infrastructure broken down here and we are not able to fix it?  Just like overheads in other establishments are being utilized, so are ours.  So far, I have attended so many fora on culture where I presented and defended the issues of CBAAC and its place in the annals of the world.  We have to do more but the economic situation of the country as at now is the determinant factor for whatever we can achieve.  In fact, we are working.”

    Anikwe, who noted that his relationship with members of staff is cordial and friendly, insisted, “we are working well to promote the ideals of CBAAC.  Even one area they said I did not do well for them was in the area of staff promotion.  But this is what I met on ground.  The older directors here did not provide room for the younger ones to come up and so there is the problem of where should they go if they are promoted.  But I have promised to ensure their promotions based on the normal process.  In fact, they are supposed to be given their promotion like others because we engage in research and we say those who have been getting theirs are not better than us.  If there are flaws in the law that brought us into existence, I can do a memo and take it to the National Assembly.”

    Concerning one Mr. Chukwuma Sunday Okoli, whom he employed as a Personal Assistant and which some people have described as improper, Anikwe said, “It is a political appointment.  It is a political appointment and I am entitled to one.  It was even an appointment approved by the board which they can confirm if you ask them.  Have I committed a crime?  Is he not qualified?  Or is he not a Nigerian?  Even if he is my brother like it has been alleged, the issue is, is he not qualified to be made my Personal Assistant?  It was even Agubuzor herself who advised me to employ him in the first place.  So you can see what has happened here.  And how it has now become an issue beats my imagination.”

    In the meantime, the internal rancour and squabble at CBAAC continues unabated because a lot of them are not comfortable with the new postings and the reorganization of some departments.  While some on one hand, insisted it was based on favouritism and nepotism, others accepted that everything has been done to reposition the Centre.  Whatever the situation, there is an uneasy calm as even the division among the rank and file of the staff grows more and more every day.

    On the whole, some members of staff are accusing a section of management to have constituted themselves into a cabal. They said, “There has to be a level playing ground for those of us who are due for promotion.  The other day while a promotional examination was in place, one of these powerful directors directed that one of the senior staff sitting for the exam should be ordered out of the hall,” a close source revealed to The Nation, adding “this woman’s promotion has been delayed for too long.”

    It is an issue like this and more that those in-charge should address forthwith if CBAAC wants to restore confidence in the staff.  As at the time of filing this report, most of these cadre of staff go about with long faces and congealed countenances depicting their sorrow and disappointment but hoping for the best to happen to ameliorate their condition.

    It is hoped however, that when some of these issues troubling the Centre are properly thrashed out and resolved amecably it will help the culture sector to make a leap forward.

    It is not only for the good of the country, but for all the Blacks in the world whose interests are protected and catered for by CBAAC.

    CBAAC should always remain a cynasure of all eyes for the good of Blacks whether in Africa or in the Diaspara. This is the whole essence of the beauty and place of the Centre deliberately established for cultural promotion and research on different fields concerning the black race.

  • Centre renews commitment to promote African culture

    Centre renews commitment to promote African culture

    Mr. Ferdinand Anikwe, the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Art Civilisation (CBAAC), on Wednesday renewed the agency’s focus on promoting African culture in Nigeria and abroad.

    Anikwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the promotion would be through symposia, lectures and other organised programmes for youths.

    “We want to re-educate and re-orientate youths on our cultural values; we are going to do this through debates and competitions and with the help of our local artistes.

    “Culture is another medium for conflict resolution; it is appropriate, wonderful, effective, penetrating and persuasive.

    “We are using culture to bring non-violence revolution; we want cultural revolutionary ideas, behaviours and transformation.

    “These will bring new forms in infrastructure as well as education.

    “So, we are saying that a new Nigeria has emerged and out of social re-generation Nigeria is changing for the better,’’ the director said.

    According to Anikwe, CBAAC will encourage youths to create programmes like drama sketches on the significance of speaking indigenous languages.

    “We have come up with factors that unite us rather than divide Nigeria. We want the world to keep seeing the beautiful side of Nigeria and not all the negative images.

    “We will continue to deliberate on our culture, philosophy of life, traditional governance system, and indigenous village and technology,’’ he said.

    The director noted that with everybody’s support, African culture would change people’s consciousness about violence and conflict.

    He therefore urged the media to assist the agency in its quest to promote African culture to the outside world.

    “The media has a role to play; we ask for your cooperation to promote and market African culture.

    “Together we can join hands to take our culture to a level where it will be the envy of the world,’’ he said.

  • CBAAC holds cultural festival

    Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Nigeria, will host the CBAAC 2014 International Cultural

    Festival and Colloquium in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    The Cultural Festival/ Colloquium with the theme: Using Culture to Drive Transformation of Africa and its Diaspora in the New Global Order will hold between November 26 and 28 at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. CBAAC is hosting the event in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Ijaw Affairs and the Niger-Delta University, Amasoma.

    The programme, the organisers say, is open to global Afro-centric organisations, universities, students and individuals of African descent.

    It would be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan. It would feature performances and presentations on issues and subjects of importance to Africa and the African Diaspora with focus on the instrumentality of culture in the transformation of Africa and the Diaspora. The renowned Prof Sule Bello, Chairman Africa Research and Development Agency, Kano, Nigeria, is expected to give the keynote address. It promises to have participants from global Afro-centric organisations, the diplomatic community, universities, students and individuals of African descent in Africa, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, America, and the Americas.

    The festival would, among other things, feature colloquium; cultural parade, open theatre events; drama; dances and masquerade display; and exhibition.

  • Culture as agenda setting

    Culture as agenda setting

    With the appointment of Chief Ferdinand Anikwe as the new Director of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, (CBAAC), the coast in now clear for the centre to begin a new era for the continued promotion, projection and protection of African cultural values.  In a press briefing last week, Anikwe made it clear that his appointment would not rob the centre of its previous strides.  He reiterated that the idea of African cultures and civilization as CBAAC is meant to project is to always ensure that all peoples of African descent anywhere they are in the world should be made to be in touch with their roots, reminiscing on their cultural values and doing all they can do preserve their heritage.

    He said: “It is globally believed that the 21st century is the century for African development.  Truly, indices from some African countries point to the fact that gradually and steadily, Africa is beginning to take the necessary steps towards growth and development.  Therefore, there are also evidences that the leadership and governance of most African and Diaspora countries are becoming more transformational rather than transactional and it is in fact within this content that their growth could be explained,” he said.

    Disclosing that deep cultural values can be used to take Africa to the next level if all the peoples of Africa can work assiduously for it, he reminded leaders that time had come to accord due attention to the sector to ensure speedy growth both socially, politically, economically and otherwise.  According to Anikwe, “There is no gain-saying the fact that if Africa and its Diaspora are to come to the table of humanity on equal terms with the rest of the human race, she has to move at an accelerated rate.  Beyond that however, she has to explore some hitherto neglected resources in her quest for development.  One of such resources is her indigenous or traditional ways of life known as culture.”

    He stated that the total beauty of culture lies in the fact that it can be used to safeguard humanity, put an agenda in place and allow people to live those indices to move on ahead in life.  “Culture involves both tangible and intangible ways by which man adapts to his environment in a bid to make the world a better place than he met it.  Though Africa has tried so many models in her efforts to drive development, it is clear that her cultures have not been sufficiently incorporated into her quest for development.”  And so, it is in his avowed interest to use CBAAC to redraw attention towards total cultural transformation both locally and internationally.

    This is why come November, the centre, in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will organize a conference with the theme as Culture in the transformation agenda of Africa and in Diaspora in the new global order. Scholars from different parts of the globe are expected to deliver papers on different themes and sub-themes of the conference.  In the words of Anikwe, “this conference shall have scholars and practitioners from Nigeria, Africa and the Diaspora.  Institutional representations are also expected from UNESCO, African Union, various African cultural institutes responsible for the promotion of African cultural values, and artists from both local and elsewhere are meant to participate.”

    With all these in place, the idea is to use culture to rebuild families, teach the youths what they ought to know, inculcate discipline in them, among other issues.

  • CBAAC boss to explore untapped aspects of culture

    CBAAC boss to explore untapped aspects of culture

    THE Director-General of Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC), Sir Ferdinand Ikechukwu Anekwe, has promised to retain the centre’s intellectual content. The content would be complemented by programmes that focus on other untapped aspects of African culture.

    He said those who participated in FESTAC 77, 37 years ago were watching to see if CBAAC would fail in realising the dream of its founding fathers. According to Anekwe there are some aspects of the African culture that have not been given adequate attention in the past, which must be actualised.

    The centre’s mandate, he said, is not all about researches as there are many untapped aspects of African culture and civilisation that must be celebrated.

    Anekwe, who spoke last Friday to arts writers in Lagos, said what the centre inherited would never be lost.

    “The CBAAC Museum is one of such areas that we must showcase to the globe. There is also the traditional African architectural design, which must be preserved and promoted. The Europeans have beaten us in almost everything except culture, and we must collaborate with other stakeholders to preserve and promote it. Also, we want to update some of the documentaries on FESTAC for the younger ones to appreciate.

    “The books and journals would still continue to be published. I am not saying that the academic programmes would be relegated, but that theatrical performances would be additional. This is because there are African countries with peculiar festivals that must be promoted. So, when we do such, it falls within our mandate,” he said.

    The director-general disclosed that the centre is planning to institutionalise the African masquerade with the establishment of an international research and viewing centre on masquerades at Abuja. Such facility, he said, would provide platform to examine the place of masquerades in the socio-cultural life of Africans.

    On the paucity of funds in the culture sector, Anekwe said: “It is difficult to find culture friendly government. So far, the government is funding the sector to the best of its ability. But, we would ensure that private partners are approached to assist in this regard. Also, we shall be looking inward to source for funds from some private individuals who are culture friendly.”

    He commended past helmsmen of CBAAC for doing great job in sustaining the tempo as well as realising the dream of the founding fathers of the centre.

    However, in November, CBAAC will be holding a two-day international colloquium on culture in the transformation agenda of Africa and its Diaspora in the new global order at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The conference will feature scholars from Nigeria, other African countries and the Diaspora. The objectives of the forum would include to provide opportunity to interrogate and question the concepts of culture as it relates to the experiences of Nigerians, African peoples and institutions, offer a platform for scholars from various disciplines and different climes to interact, analyse and exchange ideas on the centrality of culture to Nigeria, Africa and the African Diaspora socio-economic transformation, among others.

  • The new faces in the culture house

    There have been changes in the Culture and Tourism Ministry where three new directors have been appointed to man affairs of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR).  All the appointments have been criticized for one reason or the other.  Edozie Udeze examines these changes and what they mean for the sector

    Every eight years when new changes are usually made in the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to relieve out-going directors of their positions, series of controversies and backbiting normally follow such move.  It is as if such changes do not make for the progress of the culture sector.  But be that as it may, culture workers must have one thing or the other to say to either condemn or praise or even carpet the minister’s choice of directors to fill the vacant positions.

    This year’s exercise was not different.  Last week, three new directors were appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke, to replace the outing-going ones in three parastatals.  They include the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOURS) and Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). Of the all three appointments, the strangest and most surprising, in the reckoning of close culture observers and stakeholders, is that of NIHOTOUR, where Ms Chika Balogun has been made to hold fort.  Balogun, until her appointment, was a Special Assistant to Duke, a position many feel and still believe is not big enough to warrant such a big appointment.  Part of the argument, however, is that Balogun has no such pedigree to handle the hospitality sector with the kind of strong presence it deserves at this critical era in Nigeria.

    Most critics stretched the argument further to say that the last assignment.  Balogun handled for the minister in far away United States of America was a big flop.  The assignment had to do with the cultural extravaganza which held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, USA, last month.  In coordinating that woeful outing Balogun could not display enough dexterity and knowledge expected of a texted technocrat.  “Now, that she is to handle a more virile and potent parastatal that is also the main regulatory agency for Nigerian hotels, what are we to expect?” asked one culture worker who does not want to be named.

    Although a master’s degree holder from the University of Kent, Great Britain and a member of many local and international professional bodies, it is yet to be seen where her professional acumen has been so tested and verified.

    However, those who know her closely attest that she is a team leader, very proficient in management and mentoring.  “In fact, we can say she is a leadership expert,” Okeke Uzor, an artist who knows her professional antecedents, said.  Part of the resume of  Balogun says that she is a philanthropist, a great traveller, consummate reader and mentor.  “If she can bring all these to bear in her style of management, her professional approach in running the affairs of NIHOTOUR and more, I suppose she will end up a huge success,” Uzor surmised.

    As for Mrs. Dayo Keshi who took over the helm at NCAC, criticisms have begun to mount on why she should be made to head that number one parastatal in the ministry.  Keshi, 61, retired from the Federal Civil Service last year after reaching the mandatory age of 60 years.  Until her retirement, she was a director in the Cultural Industry and Heritage, an arm of the Ministry of Culture.  She served in the sector for 31 years.  But the grouse of many people is that Duke should have looked beyond personal sentiments and favour to appoint people with the renewed zeal and capacity to serve and deliver; people who still possess the youthful energy to put things in their proper perspectives.

    To have recalled a retired top notch of the ministry to handle such an important segment of the sector, some critics argued, does not speak well of the seriousness and commitment of the ministry.  It is usually better to make people who are more vibrant to come in to help move the ministry beyond the mundane.  Agreeing, Kechi may be a well-tested technocrat with the necessary exposure that is relevant in some ways, one of the critics asked.  “what of the carriage in terms of energy and competence at this stage in her career?  All these should have informed Duke’s decision in reaching out to these people.”

    However, a close source revealed that the strong undercurrent in the whole exercise is that Duke needed to have his own people in those positions.  Of course, those who are in one way or the other amenable to him, those who are indeed his closest allies and would be better for him to operate with.  But how does this stop him from looking far afield to get better placed loyalists who stand better chances of improving the lot of the Culture and Tourism sector?  For too long the ministry has tottered between life and death, between progress and retrogression, with a only a few of its parastatals and agencies doing well to lift the sector above water.  Even when the yearly allocation which is nothing to write home about, that comes its way often does not go into the proper channel.  In a way, this is a ministry that is supposed to chart a new way for the reorientation of the people of Nigeria.  So much needs to be done yet the politics of making those positive issues happen often pre-occupies the attention of top players and policy-makers.

    Now, appointed to succeed Professor Tunde Babawale at CBAAC is Chief Ferdinand Anikwe.  There is no doubt that Babawale left an imprint that is indelible on the sand of times.  Having been the helmsman at the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Chieftaincy Matters for so long, it is hoped that Anikwe can perform to keep CBAAC on its toes.  But CBAAC, as it is widely known, is basically a research and academic centre where programmes are devised and executed to conform with its statutory ideals.  Now how capable is Anikwe having been coming basically from the background that is bereft of researches and world outreach?

    How much can he do to retain and lubricate and maintain the numerous contacts made to get CBAAC go beyond a mere gimmick?  Is he capable of making the world and indeed Africa see CBAAC as a centre meant to project African cultures beyond Nigeria?  There are too many questions.  But the truth of the matter is that until recently CBAAC was a mere glorified outfit.  But then Babawale and his team brought their own personal and collective drive, energy and zeal to make it attain international position.  This is what Anikwe has to continue to do if the politics of trying to keep CBAAC down by the powers that be can allow him and his team perform.

    CBAAC is an intellectually-engaging centre, well-removed from the masquerade background where Anikwe was better known.  Anikwe constituted the best masquerade assemblage in Enugu that has won more laurels at the Abuja Carnival than any other states.  This is no mean achievement as far as the issue of culture in Nigeria is concerned.  However, that is a different ball game entirely.  CBAAC needs deep and concerted brainstorming to make it remain relevant, topical and useful.  A team meant to keep CBAAC alive has to be alive itself, giving life to cultural matters that touch on the nerves of the people.

    As a pan-African agency, Anikwe should live the life of a Pan-African director, a director not limited to local issues.  CBAAC is for the whole world where the Black Africans are domiciled.  The way and manner the new regime keeps them in the picture is a tall order for Anikwe.  CBAAC should not be made to slide back to what it was before Babawale took over.  If that happens, then it will become the worst thing that has ever happened to African cultural renaissance for which CBAAC has been cut out to do.

    Over all, it is hoped that the new changes will usher in meaningful era to give a new phase and face to the culture sector.  Tourism needs to be renewed.  Directors need to live up to the expectations of the people in whatever they do.  This is the time to do so, leaving all petty politicking behind for the sake of the people and the stakeholders.