President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the renovated National Arts Theatre in Lagos, the country’s business capital.
The Inauguration was part of activities to mark the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The National Arts theatre now bears the name, Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, in recognition of the contributions of renowned icon and Africa’s first Nobel prize winner in literature, Professor Wole Soyinka.
At the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu said that “the renovated Wole Soyinka Centre would serve as a bastion of renewed hope and opportunities for young Nigerians in the creative and arts industry with a multiplying effect on other sectors of the Nigerian Economy.”
The President urged Nigerians to project positive narratives about the country wherever they are, within the country and in the diaspora.
“Stop talking about Nigeria in negative tones, we are a country of very proud people, a nation of great people. Lets build it together, if you had a bad dream, forget it, this country will succeed. Please lift Nigeria, believe in Nigeria, put Nigeria first, he said.”
The Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the renewed arts centre as ‘a repository of culture which highlights the foundation upon which identity, unity and progress of the country are built.’
He said; “This landmark is more than concrete and steel; it is the heartbeat of our nation’s creative soul. It stands as a reminder that culture is not an accessory to development but the foundation upon which identity, unity, and progress are built.”
Africa’s first Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka whilst speaking at the inauguration ceremony recalled with regret the long years of neglect of the monumental art edifice and the attendant frustration of lovers arts and the creative industry.
Professor Soyinka commended the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Committee of Bankers for taking up the renovation of what seemed irredeemable.
He advised Arts practitioners to make the best use of the recreated arts centre to foster the works of art and create opportunities where the creative arts industry will become a new rallying point for the e diversification of the nation’s economy.
The then National Arts Theatre now Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts was first established in 1976 in anticipation of the Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC 77, which was an international celebration of African Arts and Culture with Nigeria as host country .
