Among the nations that donned the toga of independence are Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, Central Africa Republic, Somalia and Mauritania, to mention but a few.

Fifty years down the line, and precisely in this year 2010, all the countries that got nationhood in 1960, no doubt, would want to peep into the last 50 years retrospectively to reflect on their gains and losses and chart new courses for national progress. Where necessary the golden jubilee would be marked by celebrations to commemorate the day of independence.

Nigeria, the most populous black nation on earth, a befitting world event has been planned for the 50th anniversary. The Federal Government and Nigerian conglomerates have put together a public-private partnership program to support the celebrations which will also take place in major cities of the US, UK, Australia, Asia, Ghana, South Africa and some others.

The Federal Government had earmarked N10b for the celebrations, but due to outcry from many Nigerians over what they consider as a colossal waste of scarce resources the budget has been whittled down to N7b. The main plan of the celebration is mass involvement of Nigerians from all walks of life.

Planning for the golden jubilee celebrations, however, started months back with a series of meetings under the aegis of Nigeria @ 50 Planning Committee. The Naija Village, was set up in South Africa, basically to support the national team, Super Eagles, at the 2010 World Cup through entertainment and also re-position the image of Nigeria to the world especially, South Africa for two weeks. It was one of forerunner events to announce the celebrations.

The Nigeria High Commission in South Africa and Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation endorsed and supported the setting up of the village in an ambience of lush green dotted with traditional huts, art works and crafts, fashion, and offered Nigerian cuisine as well as cultural materials, all depicting the country’s rich heritage.

A representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji

Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, who was accompanied by the country’s Ambassador to South Africa, Brig. Gen. Buba Mohammed Marwa (Rtd.), opened the village on Monday June 14. During the opening ceremony, Sadiq Mohammed said that government was trying its best to make the performing industry strong enough to yield its true eco-tourism potential.

He said, “government is strengthening the institutions that will protect them, especially Nollywood, by opening the market for them, by trying to ensure that they are given the necessary prominence, which they deserve in the social scheme.”

The minister noted that government has been trying, as much as possible, to protect the Nollywood industry’s intellectual right, by way of strengthening the institutions that protect them, adding that government is increasingly trying to provide the necessary avenues for them to harness their resources and their strength so that they can reap from their efforts as it is done in other countries.

Marwa urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform provided by the joint Nigeria/South African business relationship to invest in that economy.

He said the village was “one more avenue

for us to build on that image that we are working on,” adding that with the village, “we want to make an impression to the whole world that Nigeria, 50 years after independence, has arrived. You could see as mentioned before, in this village, we stand out as the best, and what will come in the next week is unimaginable. We have some of the greatest artistes from around Africa, in terms of music and the film industry; several nations from other countries will be trouping down to see them. They are people that are very rare to see in Nigeria, let alone other places. This is a village that will showcase Nigeria, and also make the right impression of what Nigeria is.”

The Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and Deputy Director of Nigeria @ 50 Planning Committee, Segun Runsewe, in his remarks, emphasized that Nigeria could not afford to lag behind in the global search for a new market for cultural and tourism products abroad.

Nigerian musical talents Tee Mac, Shina Peters, Yinka Ayefele, Alariwo of Africa, Sunny Neji and Yinka Davies performed to the admiration of visitors, while other Nollywood stars and comedians including Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Paul Adams, Shan George, Gbenga Adeyinka, MC Abbey and Andy Gabriel, were also on hand to showcase their prowess.

Naijafest 2010 initiators said that the event would be glamorous and radiant to reveal the richness, wealth and beauty of the most populous black nation in the world, as the flavour of the festival would be such that all entertainments on offer would appeal to all ages.

“It would be an authentic Nigerian festival as never seen before as major Nigerian artistes and entrepreneurs mount stages in prime locations around the world,” revealed Kunle Awosusi, CEO Jowa (UK) Ltd and Naijafest worldwide organiser. The Nigerian consultant is Heartlink Events supported by Mity Associates.

He said the festival would form a remarkable and memorable event for Nigeria, Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, and all other foreign nationals who access the event.” Awosusi said that they are mindful of some challenges in Nigerian development in the areas of infrastructure, education, rural development, Niger Delta and many others, however, “we are in a moment in history to elevate our country and accelerate its rebranding process.”

According to Kemi Otegbade, the head consultant of Heartlink, various states’ governments have indicated their intention to support the concept whereby Nigeria would be rejuvenated through a new perception by the world at large.

“The inspiration to inaugurate the festival worldwide is also to celebrate the biggest black nation in the world, a country, which is also considered to be both the ‘Giant and Heart’ of Africa”, Otegbade said.

The utilization of glamorous art displays to demonstrate our economic vibrancy and cultural zest, showcased in well recognized zones in London, UK, America, Asia and the whole world is of paramount importance to Nigerian regeneration,” Otegbade said, adding “Naijafest will enable Nigerians in the Diaspora to benefit and feel part and parcel of the new Nigeria socio-economic movement.”