The Rastafari Continental Council (RCC), Nigeria Ital Yard, has concluded arrangement for the first Nigerian Rastafari Conference/Trade Expo (NRC 2023).
The conference billed to hold at the Badagry Recreational Park, Badagry Lagos State with the theme; ‘Consolidating Rastafari Livity in Nigeria: Ways and Means’ is expected to take place from November 1st to 6th, 2023.
HonouRebel Myke Pam, Chairman, RCC Nigeria Ital Yard, said in a statement that the “one week event is part of activities commemorating the 5th year anniversary of RCC Nigeria Ital Yard, a proud member of RCC Afrika, the continental Rastafari superstructure, with secretariat in Johannesburg, South Africa, and country structures in about 42 countries of Afrika.
The Rastafari Continental Council (RCC), established in 2018, is the umbrella body of various Rastafari organisations, Mansions and individuals in Nigeria, and across the continent of Africa.
The Conference, Myke Pam said, “aims at getting Rastafari faithful, Ambassadors and SoulJahs under the same roof to discuss issues pertaining to the welfare of Rastafari People and national development, as well as formulating the best possible ways to Organize and Centralize Rastafari Consciousness in the country.”
Keynote speakers for this maiden edition of the NRC are;
1. Ahuma Bosco Ocansey; President of the Rastafari Council of Ghana (RCG), and the current chairman of RCC Afrika.
2. Ras Black O’Rice; Nigerian Rastafari Elder and Pioneer SoulJah.
3. Dr. Marcia Stewart Phd
(Wunzooya Queen Mother Moses); USA. Deputy Spokesperson of RCC Afrika (representing the 6th Region) and Global Rastafari Ambassador. USA.
4. AJ Dagga Tolar; Secretary General, Movement for A Socialist Alternative, and Educationist.
5. Barrister Osagie Obayuwana; SAM, Legal luminary and former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Edo State, Nigeria.
6. Elder Ras Jabulani T Hall: Global Cultural Ambassador of RCC Africa, Veteran Reggae Artiste and Activist; UK/Zimbabwe.
The event will focus on issues such as “Self Empowerment as the way forward for Rastafari in Nigeria; Bring Back Reggae Advocacy; Youth Education and Advocacy for Freedom of Artistic Expressions will form the main fulcrum for the breakaway sessions and panel discussions.”
The conference which is expected to end with a massive open air Reggae concert on Sunday the 5th of November, will also feature a special Coronation Day Iration to mark Selassie I’s Coronation, Rasta Livity Awards ceremony, Nyahbinghi chants and Ises, Firekey Groundation, visitations to historical sites in Badagry, including the Door of No Return, Slaveholding cells and dungeons, amongst others.
Myke Pam also used the opportunity to call for world peace. According to him, “as we gather to Reason this Season, RCC Nigeria Ital Yard calls for world peace; peace between Russia and Ukraine; peace between Israel and Palestine…peace around the world, especially in Nigeria and the African continent.”
