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NANTAP CELEBRATES THE 50TH INTERNATIONAL THEATRE DAY 2012 IN ABUJA
The National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), the foremost Association in the Cultural sector in Nigeria led by its President Gregory Odutayo in collaboration with the Abuja Chapter led by Chris Paul Otaigbe is set to commemorate the International Theatre Day 2012 in a grand style in the federal capital territory, Abuja.
The annual International Theatre Day (ITD) which is celebrated every March 27th all over the world, was initiated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in Paris, France, under the auspices of UNESCO for the celebration of Theatre Arts and it relevance in positive Global Development. It is a day set aside to call attention to the plights of Theatre Artistes worldwide and for generating advocacy and support for the theatre.
Activities lined up for the 50th edition celebration include a keynote lecture “Nigerian Theatre: To be or not to be“ to be delivered by Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO). Discussants on the topic include Culture & Theatre bigwigs like Dotun Osunsanya, Tunji Fatilewa, Denja Abdulahi, Dan Omatsola, Tony Shittu and AGN Abuja Chairman – Agility Nwaora. The Keynote lecture holds at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts & Culture, Area 10, Garki Abuja at 9.00AM. Special Guests of Honour at the lecture will be Mr. George Ufot of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation and Mrs. Nana Tsokwa, Director Abuja Arts & Culture.
NANTAP will also be celebrating its National Distinguished International Theatre Day Personality for 2012 in the person of Senator Suleiman Asonya Adokwe, a distinguished senator of the Federal republic of Nigeria representing Nassarawa state. Senator Adokwe was a former Deputy Director of culture, artistic Director and Head of performing arts department in Plateau state. In the cause of his service, He wrote and or directed The Bumper Harvest, 1978 Plateau State entry for the National festival of arts and culture, held in Lagos. Free Mandela (1986) Fund raising Drama in aid for anti-Apartheid fund, Plateau State Chapter, produced the Jarawa dance group in London and Geneva in 1988 for West Africa festival Village project, The Regent of Anah in 1992, A historical play which was Plateau State entry for the National festival of arts and culture held in Abuja. In 1993, he also directed “Tawanda”, a dance drama, cultural co-operation between Ferdelos of Switzerland and artists from France, Zimbabwe and Nigeria in Zurich. He also directed and produced the Jarawa dance group at the African festival of music in Congo in 1996. Senator Adokwe is currently Vice Chairman Senate services.
Also to be honoured as a Cultural Ambassador for NANTAP and the cultural sector in Nigeria is Hon. Rotimi Makinde, a veteran Theatre practitioner and member of the 7th Federal House of Representatives, representing Ife, Osun State. Hon Makinde who served the NNPC for over 20 years before retiring has about thirteen (13) films to his credit and had participated in over 200 films. Some of his films include the “Ojo Eye”, “Enikan O Laiye” “Eniyan Lo Buruju”, “Olorun O Sebi”, “Aso Iyi” amongst several others. Hon. Rotimi Makinde is the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Human Rights as well as Member House Committee on Culture, Art and -Tourism.
More so, to be honoured as Cultural Ambassador is Mrs. Mosunsola Nkanga. A veteran artiste and masters degree holder in labour & Industrial Relations. Mosunmola started her acting career in 1985 as Sidi in the Popular Village Headmaster where she acted both as Counselor Balogun’s niece and Sisi Clara’s apprentice; She also featured in Third Eye, a detective programme alongside veteran actor Uncle Olu Jacobs (MFR).
Mosunsola also acted in Palace in the 90s as Mama Saro alongside Yomi Obileye and Liz Benson. Her other acting credits include Genius, The Honourables, Ripples, Checkmate, Dishonoured, Schemes, Ayooporo, Valley Between, Kamson & Neighbour to mention but a few.
The Awards Night, which is strictly by invitation, promises to be a night of glitz and glamour, holds at the Rockview Hotel Wuse II Abuja under the distinguished Chairmanship of High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Executive Chairman, Daar Communications plc. Chief Host will be the Honourable Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke.
OZIOMA GODWIN OKOLI
(OZI OKOLI)
National Director of Publicity
NANTAP
Hi all,
Fraternal Greetings.
Due to a sudden change of leadership at the Abuja Chapter and
the logistic challenges that this pose for the chapter and the
National Secretariat, I regret to inform you that the Convention for
this year which was to have taken place in Abuja is cancelled.
This is an unfortunate development which we never envisaged.
I am therefore using this opportunity to call on Ogun State Chapter to
ensure that everything is done to make Ogun 2012 a grand success. The national secretariat expects a detailed quarterly report on planning for Ogun 2012. An LOC should be constituted with immediate effect.
In the meantime, I will like to inform you that the National
Secretariat has tentatively agreed to hold ITD 2012 in Abuja in order
to help consolidate the chapter's efforts at this "new beginning".
Efforts are also in top gear for the hosting of the proposed AfroFIA
training for both AGN and NANTAP. All things being equal, this is expected to take place in Lagos in February 2012.
While thanking you all for your drive and commitments at sustaining
our dear association, please accept the assurance of our highest
esteem.
NATIONAL SECRETARY GENERAL
The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) which is the umbrella body of practising artistes in Nigeria was formed in 1990 out of a merger between NANTA (National Association of Nigerian Theatre Artists) and ANTAP (Association of Nigeria Theatre Artiste Practitioners).
NANTAP seeks to bring together all practicing theatre artists under the umbrella of the association which now has numerous chapters across the nation. From inception, NANTAP has been in the fore front of the campaign to government to put culture at the core of government’s developmental agenda for the attainment of Nigeria's developmental set objectives and growth. The cultural sector, we believe - comprising the arts and allied services as well as Tourism and national Orientation is core to the image building of the nation.
NANTAP has achieved many firsts and enjoys recognition of government as amplified by its active representation in government activities. On the international front, NANTAP is a member of the Federation of International Actors (FIA) and has participated actively in all FIA activities in and around the world. NANTAP and Nigeria currently plays a leading role in the affairs of AFROFIA (the African arm of FIA). NANTAP is also a member of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) and has since inception celebrated the International Theatre Day on March 27th every year. The International Theatre Day is a day set aside by UNESCO and the ITI worldwide to call attention to the plight of artistes all over the world. |
