Obasanjo, Odinga Lead Dignitaries At FESTAC Africa Festival Opening

Obasanjo, Odinga Lead Dignitaries At FESTAC Africa Festival Opening

The eagerly anticipated FESTAC Africa Festival began on a high note in Kisumu County, in Kenya, on Monday, August 26, 2024.

The opening ceremony of the weeklong event took place at the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu and was attended by several dignitaries, including a former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo; former Kenya Prime Minister, Raila Odinga; Governor of Kisumu County, Anyang Nyong’o, among others.

The event kicked off with performances by cultural troupes, singers and dancers from diverse African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Some of the entertainers that thrilled guests at the event include the Kenya-based band Les Wanyika, Burundi Dancers from Burundi, and Benny Willis Wallace from Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of FESTAC Africa International, Yinka Abioye, stated that the time was ripe for Africa to take its rightful place in the world.

He stated that the continent had to rise above its differences and stand united.

According to him, the things that united Africans were more than the things that divided them, expressing dismay that some people often took advantage of the latter.

Also delivering a speech at the ceremony, Obasanjo stated that he felt a tinge of nostalgia at the return of the Festival of Arts and Culture, whose second edition was held in Nigeria during his tenure as military head of state in 1977. The first edition of the widely acclaimed festival was held 11 years earlier in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966.

Recalling his experience when the festival held in Nigeria 47 years ago, the former president said, “I come up here to express appreciation and thanks; first to the governor of Kisumu County, Anyang Nyong’o, for making FESTAC take place here, and for contributing to what I call a renaissance and rebirth of FESTAC. But for me, I am feeling a bit of emotion because, as you heard, we had the first one in Senegal in 1966, and for 11 years, there was no other one.

“Nigeria accepted to stage another edition of the festival in 1975, and the country was preparing for it, but there was a change of government, and some people felt we should cancel it. But, I said we should not, and we went on to host it.”

He added that the event brought black people from all over the world, including Papua New Guinea, Australia and the United States of America, and was successful.

He also acknowledged that the event was abeyance for over four decades because “it was left entirely in the hands of the government”.
Obasanjo, who returned as a democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007, also commended the efforts of the Chairman of FESTAC Africa International, Yinka Abioye, for his tenacity and commitment.

He said, “At this juncture, I would like to commend Yinka (Abioye) for his efforts and tenacity and for making FESTAC come again in my lifetime.”

On his part, Odinga called for a continuous celebration of African culture, fashion, entertainment and business, which he said was part of the African Union Commission charter.

He said, “Africans are one. There is nothing here (in Kenya) that is unimaginable to other people in different parts of the continent. We must emphasise that society is more important than the individual. It is sad that despite these uniformities, Africans are more divided than people with multiple cultures. Integration is an idea whose time has come.”

He also advocated for intra-Africa trade, which he said was challenged by poor infrastructure, barriers put up by different countries’ interns of visa restrictions and others.

Other events that are held include movie screenings, sports, and games, including chess, as well as tree planting and health screening.
This was even as several exhibitors displayed several products, including various African arts and crafts.

Meanwhile, the event kicked off with a grand re-opening ceremony on Sunday, August 25, followed by a regatta opening ceremony at the scenic Dunga Hill Camp.

Activities to be held on Tuesday, August 27, include ‘Dinner in the Dark’, a special project sponsored by the Kenya Society for the Blind.
Wednesday, August 28, will feature trade and investment summits, ‘Diaspora Matters’, and other programmes. There will also be a vibrant and harmonious fusion of cultures at the ‘Africa-Asia Culture Night’ sponsored by the Hindu Council of Kenya Kisumu Branch.

On a similar note, on Friday, August 30, we will witness a climate change summit, fashion business dialogue, cultural performances, and an afro-fusion fashion show, among other events.

Staying true to the weekend mood, the ball will be set rolling on Saturday, August 31, with the ‘Trinidad and Tobago All-White Party’; as well as the ‘Open Africa Market Day’.

Later in the evening, one of the star events of the festival— the Africa Gala Dinner and Awards Night— will be held to celebrate and recognise personalities contributing to the growth of tourism in Africa.

Traditional renditions expected at the festival include Burundi Drummers, Ahero Greeners: Dodo Dance (Kenya), and Bamasaaba Cultural Dance Kadodi (Uganda).

On the other hand, ‘modern performances’ include Spitter 99 (Kenya), Empress Aje (Trinidad and Tobago), Kim Poole (United States of America), Brata of Africa (Nigeria), Benny Willis Wallace (Nigeria), and Bill Clinton Kalonji (DRC), and many others.

Some of the fashion designers that will showcase their works are Branda Mthinga Onono (Kenya), Cathy Nagawa of Yambala Fashion House (Uganda), Salami Olamyde Ojuinu of Edaibile 71024.

Also, films to be screened include ‘Daughter of the Lake’, ‘Silent Disease’, ‘Asantewaa’, ‘For Ikemefuna’, ‘Story of Bones’, ‘A Dry White Season’, ‘Royal Conspiracy’, and ‘The Girl I Love Most’.