By Cally Ozolua
National President National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Mr Israel Eboh has said the forthcoming national delegates convention of the association will provide a robust platform to explore, debate, and expand the role of the performing arts in national development.
He stated that the theme of the convention, “Theatre, Politics, and National Development” could not be more relevant at this time in the nation’s history. “As we navigate the complexities of governance and democracy, it is imperative to recognise the critical tole of theatre and the arts in shaping national consciousness, driving civic engagement, and influencing policy. Theatre is more than entertainment—it is a mirror of society, a voice for the voiceless, and a ” catalyst for transformation,” he added.
Eboh who spoke in Lagos on Wednesday while unveiling the activities for the convention disclosed that the convention tagged Eko 2024, will hold in multiple venues in Lagos between February 18 and 22, and will attract theatre professionals, scholars, policymakers, stakeholders, and creative entrepreneurs from across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.
Eboh said activities for the five- day event include captivating performances that will showcase of Nigeria’s finest theatrical productions, celebrating the rich cultural heritage and harnessing the power of storytelling for change; workshops that will be facilitated by renowned industry veterans to equip practitioners with cutting-edge skills in scriptwriting, directing, acting, stage design, and digital theatre innovations; and thought-provoking discussions/ seminars to engage conversations on how theatre can be leveraged as a tool for political engagement, governance, and socio-economic transformation. Other activities are networking sessions that will provide unparalleled opportunities for theatre practitioners to connect, collaborate, and forge new industry partnerships, and the prestigious Awards Night where some thespians will be honoured for their significant contributions to the growth of theatre and the creative industry in Nigeria.
Eko 2024 convention was originally scheduled to hold last year December but for other national cultural events that coincided with the dates forced the association to shift it to this year. However, this year’s own will still hold in December to usher in a new executive that will steer the ship of the association for the next four years.
The venues for the activities are National Theat, Glover Memorial Hall, Freedom Park, and John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History.
