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The Federal Military Government issued a Quit Order Notice to Festac Artistes at the Festival Town.
Source; Punch Newspaper:
Now you know
Greg Nwoko
Read this detailed post, you will love it:
Breaking Down the FESTAC ’77 Quit Order Story:
Let’s look at this step by step in simple terms. The facts I shared are about what happened right after the big FESTAC festival in Lagos back in 1977.
FESTAC was a huge event with artists, musicians, and performers from all over Africa and the world coming together to celebrate black culture. It ran from January to February that year.
Now, here’s a clear breakdown:
What Was the Quit Order:
– On February 24, 1977, the Federal Military Government (Nigeria’s leaders at the time, under General Olusegun Obasanjo) put out an official notice called a “Quit Order.”
– This was aimed at the artists and participants who were staying in special houses in Festival Town (a area built just for the event in Lagos).
– Why? The festival had ended, but many people didn’t leave. They kept using the houses even though they knew their stay was temporary.
The Government wanted everyone to pack up and go so the places could be used for other things or closed down.
Why Did People Stay?:
– A lot of the visitors loved Nigeria so much after the festival that they decided to stick around longer.
– Festival Town had nice villas and spots set up for about 16,000 people from over 50 countries. It was like a mini-city with art displays, performances, and fun vibes.
– Staying helped them connect more with local culture, maybe find work, or just enjoy the energy. But it caused issues because the housing wasn’t meant to be permanent—resources like food and security were stretched thin.
The Role of Organizers and Government:
– Organizers (a mix of Nigerian officials and international helpers) first noticed the problem right after the closing ceremony on February 12.
– They sent reminders, but when that didn’t work, the military stepped in with the Quit Order to enforce it. This was typical for the time—Nigeria was under military rule, so orders like this were strict to keep things orderly.
– In the end, most people left, but it showed how the festival created strong bonds that made leaving hard.
Stevie Wonder’s Part in It:
– Stevie Wonder, the famous American singer, was one of the big stars at FESTAC. He performed and got inspired by the event.
– Unlike the artists in Festival Town, he wasn’t staying in those houses. He was at the fancy Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos (a top spot for VIPs back then).
– He did stay longer after the festival ended, hanging out in Nigeria for a bit. It wasn’t a big drama for him, but it highlights how even celebrities got caught up in the post-festival buzz. He left without issues, but his extended stay added to the stories of people not wanting to go.
Bigger Picture and What It Means:
– This whole thing captures the magic (and mess) of FESTAC. It was Nigeria’s proud moment on the world stage, costing millions and bringing global attention. But the Quit Order was a reminder that big events have to end, and logistics matter.
– Fun fact: Some artists who stayed influenced Nigerian music and art long-term. No major conflicts happened from the order—it was more administrative than anything.
– Today, Festival Town is still around as a neighborhood, but the ’77 vibes live on in history books and old photos.
SB E-news.
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