As Thespians globally marked the World Theatre Day on Wednesday, 27th March, the Lagos State Government again renewed its interest in the growth of the creative sector. This it did when it powered a performance feast that featured some of the most engaging theatre troupes domiciled in the state. The event, which held at the Mike Adenuga Centre (Alliance Francaise), Ikoyi, oiled the bond between the Babajide Sanwo-Olu government and the industry that is connected to others such as film and literature. In many cases, a dramatist is also a writer and filmmaker.
Anchored by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the event attracted leading lights that included a Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lagos, Prof. Duro Oni, who is also a former Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC); celebrated actors/filmmakers Yemi Solade and Kunle Afolayan as well as drama students from various institutions. Also in attendance was multi-talented artist, Dr Tunji Sotimirin, who also teaches at the Creative Arts Department, UNILAG; and co-founder of the Committee for Relevant Arts, Jahman Anikulapo, who, interestingly, was instrumental in the success of the Providus Bank World Poetry Day with Wole Soyinka, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites on 21st March. But the fun-makers of the day were the performance troupes that gave exciting accounts of themselves.
The theme for this year’s commemoration of the Day is ‘Theatre and Culture of Peace’. Internationally acclaimed Crown Troupe of Africa, led by Segun Adefila, did not disappoint the audience as it staged a piece that was not just entertaining and engaging but also relevant to the socio-economic challenges the country is experiencing. Through the performance, the troupe sensitised Nigerians on the need to contribute their quotas in easing the current hardship occasioned by reformations being carried out by the Tinubu government.
Amid applauses, the Saxophone Hub, a troupe of dancers, presented instrumental performance of the late Victor Uwaifor’s Joromi, the late Victor Olaiya’s Omo Pupa and Simi’s Duduke. Abiodun Oke, a percussionist, popularly known as, Wura Samba, displayed a high level of creativity with his traditionally built Samba drum – while another group called ‘Dance Na The Main Thing’ (DNMT) gave a beautiful dance performance.
Also, ever-resourceful Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, where veteran comedian Abiodun Ayoyinka, aka Papa Ajasco, plays a major role, showcased a playlet titled Oshodi, highlighting the Lagos popular area as a place of movement, prosperity and adversity. As also reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, while the Lagos transportation system of ‘danfo’ was equally celebrated, Queens and Kings Theatre Academy and Sage were among other groups that performed.
In his remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe expressed delight that the younger generation of artistes were carried along in the development of arts and culture. He appreciated Gov. Sanwo-Olu for always supporting the sector.
He noted: “This year’s World Theatre Day celebration promises to be an unforgettable experience showcasing the diversity and dynamism of Nigeria’s Vibrant theatrical community. As such, we invited theatre enthusiasts and culture aficionados alike to join us in honouring the transformative power of the performing arts.”
According to him, Sanwo-Olu is very passionate about the growth of the creative industry and is thus prepared to continue to invest in it by supporting practitioners achieve the best.
Also, the Chairman of Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu assured stakeholders of his commitment to developing the industry.
Stakeholders would recall some of the major programmes that the Sanwo-Olu administration had initiated in the creative sector. Among such, it has completed the building of the John Randle Centre – a marvellous edifice located in Onikan, in the neighbourhood of the MUSON Centre, National Museum, City Mall, Yoruba Tennis Club and Freedom Park. Also, the government initiated a grant scheme for filmmakers, supports training organisations in capacity building while it is also helping in facilitating the building of a massive film village in Ketu-Ejinrin, Epe.
As part of his desire to help solve challenges in the creative sector, Sanwo-Olu recently called for a collaborative action between the Federal Government, states and practitioners to tackle the challenge of copyright piracy which costs Nigeria about $3 billion annually. He spoke at a forum on Art of Technology Lagos 5.0 forum with the theme: ‘The Creative Economy and a digital Lagos’.
According to him, piracy presents a significant threat to Nigeria’s growing creative market and “certainly we cannot fold our hands and watch where a significant portion of creative content falls victim of piracy which results into substantial economic losses annually.”
The governor told about 2, 500 audience of digital creative minds that Lagos wanted to collaborate with World Intellectual Property Right organisation to establish a robust framework for enforcing copy right law.
“When we work together, we will be able to implement measures that will safeguard intellectual property and cultivate an environment where creativity is not only protected but also flourished,” the governor had noted.
The fact is that Sanwo-Olu sees the creative industry as one through which many youths can be empowered and prosperously engaged. The “E” Pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS development agenda of his government, which stands for Entertainment and Tourism, symbolises the Government’s commitment to fully harness the wealth creation and employment generation opportunities in the arts, culture, tourism and entertainment arena.
