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| Members of the Organizing Committee. |
The
National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, Lagos
State chapter during the out-gone week celebrated in commemoration of the world
theatre week in Lagos as members of NANTAP converged in an atmosphere filled
with the love that radiates in the theatre world.
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The event which held at the prestigious Freedom Park in Lagos had in attendance some of the very prominent and bright theatre arts practitioner, from Yinka Davies, Bukky Thomas, Uche Sam Anyamele, Efe Mayford Orhorha, Jude Chukwuka, Steph Ogundele, Edmund Enaibe, Makinde Adeniran, Deji Etiwe, Toyin Olokodana – James, Charles Ukpong, Tade Adekunle with the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media who delivered the keynote speech and got the audience mesmerized with his intelligence and with his daily presentation on Arise News, he kept those present glued to him till his keynote address was done.
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| Efe Mayford-Orhorha. |
On
his part, the interim Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of NANTAP, Dr. Steph
Ogundele, who happened to be a practitioner and Nollywood actor, welcomed
participants to the World Theatre Day 2024, which according to him was the 63rd
edition since the inception of the celebration by the International Theatre
Institute in 1961 and as we commemorate the World Theatre Day, we stand at a
pivotal moment in the history of our nation's creative economy.
Delivering
on the theme, "Unbundling Nigeria's Creative Economy: Rebuilding Theatre Culture
for a Sustainable Future", which he says encapsulates the
challenges and opportunities ahead of NANTAP.
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| Ozy Okoli. |
Steph
Ogundele opined that as Chairman of NANTAP Lagos State, the flagship chapter of
our great Association, it is both an honor and a responsibility to share with
you my reflection on the immense potential that theatre holds in shaping our
society and driving economic growth. Theatre, as you are well aware, is not
merely a form of entertainment; it is a powerful medium through which we can
explore our collective consciousness, challenge societal norms, and ignite
change.
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| Jude Chukwuka. |
However,
despite the rich heritage of theatre in Nigeria, we find ourselves grappling
with numerous obstacles that continue to stunt its growth and development. From
inadequate infrastructure to limited funding, the challenges facing the theatre
community are manifold. Yet, in the face of adversity, we must not lose sight
of the transformative power of the arts.
In
his remark, he said that as we celebrate practice and the practitioners of
theatre, I call upon all stakeholders – from policy-makers to private
investors, from public to private sector operators, from creatives to audiences
and patrons – to join hands in revitalizing Nigeria's theatre culture. We must
invest in modern infrastructure that provides creatives with the needed tools to
bring their visions to life. We must establish robust funding mechanisms that
support emerging talents and sustain established institutions. And most
importantly, we must nurture a culture of appreciation for the arts, ensuring
that theatre remains an integral part of our national identity.
He
also said that as we strive to rebuild the theatre culture in Nigeria, we must
also embrace innovation and adapt to the changing dynamics of the creative
economy. No doubt, today, Digital platforms offer an amazing new avenues for
artistic expression, content exploitation and audience engagement. We must
leverage these technologies to reach broader audiences and generate sustainable
revenue streams and in this wise, I am proud to share our bold steps in
embracing technological evolution in the creative space. Recognizing the
profound truth that "Image is nothing, perception is everything," we
have revamped our social media presence to foster deeper engagement and bolster
our visibility. Our rebranded platforms reflect our commitment to excellence
and innovation.
Steph Ogundele was quick to add that
the Lagos State chapter in partnership with Pawstudios Africa, initiated a
dynamic Business and Creative Workshop. The program aimed to empower members of
the chapter with indispensable skills such as Creative Identity, Branding,
Marketing, Fundraising, and Proposal Writing; which are essential to elevating
knowledge and practice. These
initiatives he said not only elevate our chapter's image but also empower our
members to excel in today's
dynamic theatrical landscape. We are excited to continue this amazing journey
of growth and innovation.
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The
2024 World Theatre Day was so much fun as there was drama presentation by
members of NANTAP, music and dual performances, spoken word and the national
anthem taken by the legendary Yinka Davies, who with her super voice, set the
whole building on fire and kick-started the day for actors and stage performers
to rub minds and enjoy the evening
Overall,
the Theatre Day was a huge success which had Dr. Reuben Abati awaken the passion
in majority of those present, especially in discovering grey areas in the
system as he opened their eyes to some of the opportunities embedded and how to
leverage on them.
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