By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Aisha Adamu Augie, has urged Nigerian youths to believe in Africa and in themselves, stating that they are beautiful, intellectual, and highly sought after across the world.
She made this statement at the Annual Pan-African Intercultural Dialogue themed “Cultural Diplomacy and African Unity,” organized by CBAAC and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at the Rotunda Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBD, Abuja.
The Director-General explained that this year’s dialogue was aimed at amplifying African voices and promoting Pan-African intercultural discourse.
“The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) is hosting the Annual Pan-African Intercultural Dialogue to amplify the voices of Africans and Black people worldwide. We want to be a voice for all of Africa, for all Black people, we are open to the world and to anyone who wants to partner with us,” she stated.
Hon. Aisha Adamu also used the occasion to officially announce the launch of the Pan-African Indigenous Skills Development Program, stating: “CBAAC is launching a program to develop Indigenous skills and promote cultural exchange.”
According to her, the initiative is part of a broader program to promote cultural diplomacy, trade, and connectivity.
She added that AgloFest, a cultural diplomacy, trade, and entertainment festival, collaborates with the Presidency and other key partners.
“CBAAC is open to collaborating with institutions, governments, and individuals across the globe to promote African culture and development,” she added.
The Centre has already partnered with several ambassadors and organizations to implement various programs.
The DG also noted that CBAAC is working on a program to commemorate its golden jubilee in 2027, with official announcements expected in July.
“AgloFest is a festival that will promote cultural exchange, trade, and entertainment, and is open to global participation,” she remarked.
Speaking on the role of Africans in the diaspora in promoting intercultural unity, Monica Cheru and other virtual panelists said: “The African diaspora is a bridge between cultures, histories, and the future. They play a significant role as translators of values and languages.
“We are agents of knowledge circulation, builders of transnational solidarity, and drivers of economic progress. We challenge not only stereotypes but also structural racism. The diaspora is an innovator of hybrid cultures, as demonstrated in many instances of artistic expression,” they emphasized.
In a response to Standard-Times Nigeria, the former Controller General of Customs (Rtd), Joseph Attah, shared his perspective on the continued role of Africans in the diaspora. According to him, “The whole idea of cultural diplomacy, as I said during the panel, is about cultural communication — our ability to share our culture through words, music, art, and shared expression.”
He added: “It can be seen in our shared passion, in such a way that the whole world respects us for who we are.”
Also speaking, a UK-based CEO of Team H.E.L.P – Healing Every Living Person advised African youths to respect their cultures and elders, and to learn more from them.
“I want to advise all African youths to respect their cultures and their elders. Listen more to the elders of the tradition, evaluate, and learn more from them. Because if they don’t learn about the tradition, it will be forgotten. And when it’s forgotten, a country is lost,” Lennox stated.
