The Lagos State Acting Commissioner and Special Adviser for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola has reiterated the commitment of the State Government to the upliftment of theatre arts in Lagos, saying a clear demonstration of this resolve is the proposed establishment of six theatre-arts centres to be operated and managed by the private sector.
Mrs. Akinsola stated this while speaking at the opening symposium of the 2017 edition of the organised by the British Council at the National Arts Theater, Iganmu, Lagos, with the theme, “Rhythm of the City”.
She emphasised that the present administration has equally strengthened the capacity of the State Council for Arts and Culture established for the propagation, promotion and preservation of Arts and culture in Lagos.
The Acting Commissioner maintained that the State Government will continue to invest in the industry as part of efforts to promote and improve tourism in the State.
Earlier, the representative of the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr George Ufot, commended the State Government for investing in infrastructure to boost all genres of the theatre profession, especially the proposed plan to build six theatres across the five administrative divisions of the State and support for the renovation of the National Arts Theatre.
He informed the gathering that the main hall of the National Theatre will soon reopen after 25 years of closure due to decay and malfunction of the facilities.
The Lagos Theatre Festival, which will hold for six days and feature different performances in comedy, fashion, design, theatre, dance and music, was founded by the British Council in 2013 as part of the desire to foster exchange and collaboration between the Nigerian and British Theatre.
