Lagos — As the nation prepares for the celebration of its 50th independence anniversary, the Federal Government has appointed Anabel Entertainment as the lead organiser and fund raiser for the three-day "Great Nigeria Music Concert and Festival".

A statement said the event would also unveil the "Good People, Great Nation" theme song which is being produced with the participation of a cross section of Nigerian talents from different parts of the country.

Anabel Entertainment is part of the Anabel Group which includes Anabel Mobile, Nigeria's first manufacturer of Smart Phones and media Devices and a strong advocate of using technology to battle the menace of piracy in the entertainment industry.

The festival which is expected to be beamed live across the world for Nigerians to join in the celebrations of their nation's golden jubilee, will be a celebration of Nigerian talent and a trip down memory lane to recognise the efforts of Nigerian heroes both in the music, arts and entertainment industries.

"Anabel Entertainment is building a collision of Corporate brands that will stand behind the Festival to celebrate Nigeria in this big way. A major initiative of the festival is what is called 'The great brands of Nigeria' concept which is also being anchored by Anabel Entertainment. These great brands are Nigerian companies that are doing things differently and are well positioned to carry Nigeria into the international community and the global markets in the months and years ahead," the statement said.

It further said, "The three day festival will be an opportunity to showcase Nigerian talent to the world and to celebrate Nigerian comedy, Nigerian theatre and Nigerian Music. The event, which is projected to be hosted in the first quarter of 2010, will have President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as the chief Host, as well as the leadership of all the arms of government, the 36 governors, the civil society, all participating as hosts and contributors to the content of the festivities".

Minster of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, was said to have stated that she sees the festival as "an opportunity to completely redefine how Nigeria's talent pool in the arts and entertainment industry has come of age, and provide a platform for the global celebration of our nation's major achievements in nollywood, arts and music. It will be a tribute to the past, the present and the future of this industry and our great nation".

The nation's independence anniversary is marked on October 1 of every year and next year's anniversary will be the 50th since Nigeria gained independence from the British colonial masters.

As parts of activities marking the golden jubilee, the Smiths-onian's National Museum of African Art in the United States is sponsoring a two-year-long celebration.