This week, Kenya plays host to an important event, the Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in the beautiful and culturally vibrant Lake Port City of Kisumu.
The core mission of staging this week-long cultural extravaganza that has attracted attendees drawn from 50 plus nationalities is to create an opportunity for people to share, experience and celebrate the beauty and richness of Africa’s culture and heritage as a tool for education, empowerment, and catalyst for arousing the consciousness, and drive unity and prosperity of the people of Africa.
The event is happening as the continent gears up for the election of the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) in early 2025 and incidentally, one of the four candidates in the race for this position, Rt. Hon. @RailaOdinga, was today privileged to preside over the official opening of the FESTAC Africa 2024 edition.
Hon. Odinga is an indefatigable lover, supporter, practitioner and advocate of African culture. It is therefore encouraging to see that the festival’s overall mission and in particular its theme this year, “SUSTAINABLE GROWTH TRAJECTORY FOR AFRICA THROUGH CULTURE, TRADE, TRAVEL & TOURISM”, strikes a strong alignment with his vision for Africa as enunciated in his 8-point plan, which gives prominence to issues such as intra-African trade and continental integration. His plan also prioritizes economic transformation and climate action, a key focus of this festival as well.
Hon. Odinga’s leadership plan draws from the African Union Agenda 2063 which puts culture at the heart of the strategy to making the continent a global powerhouse of the future. As the Chairperson of the AUC, he will in pursuit of this continental vision, catalyze the renaissance of African cultures through intentional focus on activities whose mission is to amplify the uniquely African cultural identity and heritage. This is in line with the Aspiration 5 of the AU’s Agenda 2063 that aims to build a strong and prosperous Africa on the basis of a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics.
Hon. Odinga will reinvigorate the commission structures and leverage on other resources of the continental body to create and expand opportunities through which Africa’s cultural assets such as music, dance, languages, sports, and intellectual property can be given the necessary prominence and support to unlock the value of culture as a driver of Pan-Africanism, diversity, integration, source of livelihoods and enduring pride for the people of Africa.
The former Prime Minister was accompanied by former Nigerian President H.E Olusegun Obasanjo, who hosted FESTAC in Lagos in 1977.
#Raila4AUC
#Agenda2063
🌙✨ Eid Al-Adha Mubarak to all our Muslim brothers and sisters! May your sacrifices and prayers be rewarded with abundant blessings, peace, and joy. Wishing you a truly blessed and memorable Eid filled with love and togetherness. Eid Mubarak! ✨🌙 #EidAlAdha#EidMubarak
Here's to an actualized dream and incredible inspiration
Here's to an unparalleled vision and remarkable growth
Here's to past achievements and future opportunities
Here's to our partners and clients Here's to us...today, tomorrow and beyond.
#Anniversary#Growth#TradeFinance
On this special day, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude for all that you do. As a financial institution, we know that mothers play a critical role in shaping the financial future of their families and communities.
Happy Mother’s Day.