For more than three decades, the National Theatre complex has been serving as a veritable ground where creative enterprise is promoted, preserved and exhibited. Over the years, as the theatre culture dwindled with Nigerians preferring home movies to live performance, the theatre mansion seemed to have lost touch with the industry and the edifice deserted with just few stage plays coming up there, during festive periods.

The culture of theatre is gradually coming back, but it is the private theatres that are taking the lead in providing entertainment, fun and relaxation for Nigerians far above the National Theatre, which has better facilities.

Some have argued that this is because the managers of the theatre are not creative enough and dynamic to move along with new trends to make the National Theatre a vibrant platform for display of stage plays and theatrical offerings.

Probably in line with some of the calls by stakeholders that the National Theatre needs private sector investment to optimally reach its potentials and fully serve the purpose for which it was conceptualised, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, last week set up a committee to look at the ways to restructure and restore the National Theatre to a ground for theatric offerings and entertainment.

While inaugurating the committee, the Minister, who spoke passionately about the need to restore the National Theatre to compete with other public iconic buildings across the world, said that the National Theatre must be a public building that should be used to define Nigeria.

Hear him, “The National Theatre today remains the most important iconic public building in Nigeria, therefore the rehabilitation and restoration of the complex is a task that must be done. Everywhere in the world, even when you goggle Nigeria, one of the first things that you will see is the image of the National Theatre.

“The National Theatre must therefore define Nigeria, not just as an iconic building, but the scared ground for creativity. In the recent past, I have the privilege of travelling with the President and people talk about FESTAC 77, the images of Festac and the fulfillment of Festac 77 continues to resonate in the minds of people, especially those in the Diasporas.

“I do not want to go into the history of the National Theatre and the identical sisters in Ethiopia or Bulgaria but it is suffice to say that unless we restore the National Theatre, Nigeria and Nigerians will not get due respect from the creative industry all over the world.

“Several people around the world see the National Theatre as the sacred ground for the expression of Africa’s rich and diverse culture. So the challenge that is before us today is that the resources of government is very lean, there are also many competing demands on the resources of government and that is why the National Theatre has remained in this state for the better part of three decades.

“We find that there are other public buildings especially in Abuja that are less than one decade old and yet, they are receiving resources for their rehabilitation. The National Theatre remains the biggest theatre main bowl in all of Africa. Most especially as we look into 2014, at the celebration of Nigeria centenary, there is no venue that is more appropriate for many of the celebrations than the National Theatre. And for those of you, who have gone round already, we see that water element has taken over virtually all the land that is not what is happening in the International Conference Centre in Durban and so on and so forth.

“So it is important for us to come together as responsible Nigerians and government, realizing that government does not have the resources that we are looking for. For us to see the creative and ingenious ways in which we can leverage on the growing interest of the private sector to ensure that the National Theatre, not only regains the glorious days but that we can benefit from investment that for the next two to three decades would be a testimony to the commitment of the men and women in this committee.

“Because the institution of government is collaborative, that is why it is appropriate for us and our ministry to bring on board the relevant ministries and departments of government that have the mandate to structure a framework that will be attractive to the private sector to invest money in the National Theatre.

“Often times, I know that there are always challenges of government agencies working together but I want to appeal to men and women on this panel, representing these various establishments that history beckons. Nigerians are always very skeptical, apprehensive and even make a mockery of government because often times, we say the right thing but when it is time to deliver or execute, we find that we begin to sing discordant tunes. I want to believe that today will mark a milestone in the effort to restore the National Theatre.”

Read more: https://rayenter10ment./2012/09/29/using-national-theatre-to-redefine-nigeria/