The leadership of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria TAMPAN and Radio Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union RATTAWU have commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for approving the move by Central Bank of Nigeria to renovate the National Theater.
The Bankers’ committee had earlier agreed to renovate the largest Art monument in Africa.
According to a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Prince Banji Adelusi, the TAMPAN Worldwide President, Mr Bolaji Amusan known as Mr Latin, describes the step taken by the Federal Government as a step in the right direction which will go a long way to dispel the notion that Nigeria is a wasteful nation.
TAMPAN states further that the renovation and the repositioning of the theatre infrastructure will go down in history as a unique move to ensure the revival of the creative industry.
The Association affirms that the recent approval of the MoU between the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Central Bank of Nigeria Bankers’ Committee signals the begining of a renewed attention to the creative sector.
Mr Amusan said it would create job opportunities and reduce poverty in Nigeria.
TAMPAN reemphasized that repositioning the massive infrastructure would enable it operate at optimal capacity for the joint benefits of the Federal Government and the national arts, culture and tourism public.
The Association applauded the decision not to give room for job loss even as the plan includes the taking over of the adjoining land within the National Theatre complex.
While asking the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to also facilitate corporate investment in the creative entrepreneurs, actors producers and all professionals in the industry whose contributions count in the process of reviving the theatre edifice for ultimate fulfilment of the new vision, TAMPAN stated clearly that the collapse of the National Theatre ab initio can also be traced, among other factors, to the weakened capacity of the local creative sector to engage in first class productions as a result of lack of government support.
TAMPAN recalled that the National Theatre had hosted hundred of thousands of theatre patrons during the days of Chief Hubert Ogunde, Duro Ladipo, Ade Love, Baba Sala and has made a huge revenue to boost the nation’s economy.
The economic situation today has taken a toll on the provision of first class local contents that meet cinema and theatre standard.
TAMPAN called for the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to compliment this repositioning plan by strengthening the capacity of the arts practitioners and local film producers to sustain creativity and enhance patronage and huge revenue receipts.
While urging the Federal Government to provide policy support and stimulus funds for its members to fully revive the creative and entertainment industry, the Association pledges to partner with the Ministry to ensure the revival theatre culture in Nigeria
Meanwhile, the SouthWest Zonal leadership of the Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union RATTAWU also advocates for the training and capacity building of its members working in the National Theatre to be able to enhance the fulfilment of the vision for total repositioning of the massive edifice for economic benefit of the government and people of Nigeria.
Also, the Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU) Ekiti State Council, harps on the occasion to applaud the Federal Government and Ekiti State government for massively investing in the cultural sector.
A statement by the State Council Chairman, Com. Jasper FALAE, says while the Federal Government is repositioning the National Theatre in Lagos to compete with similar edifices world over, Ekiti State Government is building a masterpiece Theatre and Arts Gallery and a Cinema in Ado Ekiti.
