Director-General, Aisha Adamu-Augie, middle
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has praised its Director-General, Aisha Adamu-Augie, for her efforts in promoting arts and culture.
In a statement on Saturday – yesterday, January 11 – by Mr Manji Diyal, Senior Special Assistant to the Director-General, said the centre’s staff members were proud to commemorate her one year in office, especially for her “remarkable leadership qualities”.
Diyal said the D-G has implemented various initiatives aimed at promoting African arts and culture, both locally and internationally, noting that Adamu-Augie’s efforts in repositioning the centre have yielded significant results, with CBAAC becoming a hub for cultural exchange and enrichment.
He disclosed that under the D-G, Nigeria has witnessed the strengthening of cultural ties between Nigeria and China, adding that such a stronger cultural relationship has since led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the centre’s full participation at the 2024 United Nations Chinese Language Day celebration.
On cultural diplomacy and art promotion, Diyal said Adamu-Augie has curated many inspiring arts exhibitions, including the showcasing of female-inspired works by female artists with the Female Artists Association of Nigeria to support the International Association of Women Police (IAWP).
“Under Aisha Adamu-Augie’s leadership, CBAAC’s commitment to fostering international cultural exchange, promoting artistic innovation, and celebrating Africa’s rich cultural legacy have been upscaled.
“CBAAC’s commitment to promoting Black and African cultural heritage was taken to another level when the centre celebrated the achievements and contributions of people of African descent during the black history month.
“The D-G successfully hosted the 2024 Day of the African Child, with the theme `Bridging Heritage and Innovation: Unleashing the Creative Potential of the African Child through Technology and Cultural Education’.
“This showcased the D-G’s efforts in promoting cultural education, innovation, and technology to empower the next generation of African leaders,” he said.
Diyal said CBAAC under Adamu-Augie’s leadership also endorsed and supported the production of ‘The Noble Warrior’ (Eniogun).
The play, a captivating piece written by Cash Onadele, Aiye-ko-ooto, was staged as part of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday celebrations.
According to Diyal, within one year of Adamu-Augie’s leadership, the centre endorsed the Yauri Rigata Cultural event, scheduled to take place in February in Kebbi, a collaborative effort to showcase some salient aspects of African culture through cultural festivals.
CBAAC has also explored collaborative opportunities in job creation, digitalisation, partnerships and capacity building under Augie-Adamu, evidence of the D-G’s dynamic leadership, Diyal stressed, disclosing that this year, the D-G would focus on an initiative called Pan-African Skills Development Programme (PAID).
PAID, the Special Assistant to the D-G explained, is designed to empower young Africans, between age 18 and 35, with traditional skills and knowledge sourced from various regions across the continent.
“The Centre plans to curate a variety of activities ultimately leading to the golden jubilee of FESTAC ’77 in 2027, beginning from 2025.
“The initiative seeks to create a comprehensive series of monthly cultural, creative, and visual arts events,” he said.
Adamu-Augie was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the Director-General of CBAAC on Jan. 11, 2024.
