CBAAC, FRSC to produce vehicle number plates to commemorate FESTAC’77 at 40

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Lagos, May, 17, 2017 (NAN) The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) is collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to produce vehicle number plates for the commemoration of FESTAC’77 at 40.

Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, Director-General of CBAAC, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) took place in Nigeria in 1977. It is known as FESTAC ’77.

The rolling out of 40 African drums at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on March 3 marked the beginning of the FESTAC’77 at 40 celebration.

Anikwe said that the commemorative number plates were aimed at relaying the memories of FESTAC’77 to young Nigerians and other blacks.

The director-general told NAN that the aim was also to promote the nation’s culture and boost the economy.

He said that the number plates would be produced by the FRSC and that attendees to the FESTAC’77 at 40 celebration would fix them on their cars “to further advertise the only famous cultural event that ever happened in Africa’’.

“`FESTAC’77 in Memorial’ will be inscribed on the number plate and the picture of the FESTAC mask, produced by great artist of Benin extract, will be on it,” he said.

According to Anikwe, the production of the number plates will begin in June.

He said that relevant agencies had begun consultations with the embassies and high commissions to ensure that the number plates could be used in other African countries after the celebration.

The director-general said that the commemorative number plates could be used in Nigeria or be replaced with the existing number plates after the ceremony.

“We want to ensure that this event will henceforth be recognised and celebrated.

“The vehicle number plate will represent the dignity of the black man as FESTAC’77 and the mask will be inscribed on it.

“I have finalised plans with FRSC, which will produce it, and some tax agencies so that the production will start early June.

“I want all Nigerians to embrace this, as it will go a long way in boosting the nation’s economy and promoting our cultural heritage,” he said.

Anikwe, however, said that the cost of the number plate would be determined after production. (NAN)
PTB/BOLA/IGO
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(Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Ijeoma Popoola)