CBAAC DG urges Africans to take pride in Africanness, black identity

The Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Hon. Olubunmi Amao has beseeched Africans to take pride in Africanness and black identity.

The DG stated this in celebration of the Centre’s 2023 Black History Month entitled: The Contributions of Africans To The Arts’ held at the ICT Main Conference, Obafemi Awolowo University, on November 2nd, 2023.

Amao stated it is very important Africans have in their consciousness that African Identity is never a limitation to their intended achievements.

Hon. Olubunmi recalled Black History Month celebration began in the United States as Negro History Week and instituted by the renowned African American historian, Dr. Carter Godson Woodson.

Amao revealed the sole aim was to protest the exclusion of the contributions of African Americans from history textbooks in the United States, adding that the celebration of the Black History Month has grown and gained global acceptance since it began nearly a Century ago.

She pointed out that the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization has used the platform to direct attention to matters of concern to Black and African peoples across the world.

The DG, therefore, stated that it is the reason the Agency instituted this event to celebrate and appreciate Black and African history, as well as reecho the giant strides of Africans over forces of domination, discrimination and exploitation.

According to her, Our celebration of the Black History Month is also geared towards showcasing to the world the tremendous contributions of Black people to world civilization.

“Africans should take pride in their Africanness and Black Identity as well as having in their consciousness that their African identity is never a limitation to what they can achieve and become in life.

“As you are all aware, Black History Month celebration began in the United States as Negro History Week and instituted by the renowned African American historian, Dr. Carter Godson Woodson.

“The sole aim was to protest the exclusion of the contributions of African Americans from history textbooks in the United States. Since it began nearly a Century ago, the celebration of the Black History Month has grown and gained global acceptance.

“Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen, over the years, as part of our statutory responsibility, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization has used the platform to direct attention to matters of concern to Black and African peoples across the world.

“By the same token, we have also carefully instituted this event to celebrate and appreciate Black and African history, as well as reecho the giant strides of Africans over forces of domination, discrimination and exploitation.

“Our celebration of the Black History Month is also geared towards showcasing to the world the tremendous contributions of Black people to world civilization.” She said.