Establish A Mandate Secretary For the Arts, Invest In Arts Infrastructure, Group Urges FCT Minister

The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Art Practitioners (NANTAP) has called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to invest in the construction of art infrastructure, particularly cottage theatres, across the different councils of Abuja.

The association’s chapter made this call during its commemoration of World Theatre Day (WTD) with the theme “Theatre and the Culture of Peace” and the inauguration of the newly elected executives.
Speaking at the event, the chapter’s Chairman, Omo’ba Jerry Adesewo, said Abuja deserves a standalone mandate as Secretary for Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy so that the city can gain a rightful place among the great cultural cities of the world.

Highlighting theatre and the creative industry ability to create employment for both the young and the old, Adesewo said investing in the arts and culture through the building of cottage theatres (at least one in each area council of the FCT), and the establishment of creative hubs to stimulate the arts/culture scene will go a long way in not only creating employment but place the city in the global map of arts/tourism destinations.

“I am witness to His Excellency’s support of art and culture in Rivers State during your tenure as governor, and we ask that you extend the same to the FCT, following in the footsteps of your colleague in Ekiti State and elsewhere around the world, through the creation of the FCT Endowment Fund for the Arts, or maybe something more specific like the FCT Performing Arts Fund (FCT-PAF) which will be in the mould of the Dutch Performing Arts Fund.”

Following the appeal, the new administration announced its intention of signing five executive orders to guide the chapter’s work in the next two years. These include two executive orders establishing a 7-member FCT Chapter Elders Forum, and the FCT Chapter Body of Patrons – comprising distinguished Nigerians who are lovers/patrons of theatre. He also announced the establishment of the State Advisory Council – comprising the soundest mind in Nigerian theatre practice – a five-member council with a two-year tenure renewable only for a single term.

Other activities of the chapter rolled out by NANTAP FCT Chapter, include a monthly congress to kick May 22, and held every third Thursday of the month; and a quarterly roundtable addressing issues related to theatre practice in Abuja and Nigeria, and for experience sharing – starting June 10 – with a Performing Arts Stakeholders Meeting in collaboration with the National Theatre.