Wale Jagun
Lagos State Government has again underscored the importance of peaceful co-existence of all residents, calling on creative practitioners to use the vehicle of theatre and other artistic content to further promote peace and unity in diversity.
The Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Femi Martins, stated this during a theatrical performance “The King Must Die”, staged by the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture to commemorate this year’s World Theatre Day at Igando Theatre, on Monday.
Speaking on the theme: “Theatre and a Culture of Peace”, Martins averred that the topic dwells on recent happenings in Nigeria and the need to use theatre to propagate peace cohabitation, adding that the play unravelled different societal ills and desperation for recognition among human beings.
“I enjoin you all to use today’s event as a springboard for promoting peace in our various communities as meaningful development can only be achieved under a peaceful atmosphere. Nigeria is an ethnically, religiously and politically diverse society can only be developed when there is peace in the land”, he said.
He recalled that Nigerian theatre, which began with a fusion of music, dance, drumming and adornment of colourful costumes, emerged in the 1940s through the works of the late theatre icon, Chief Hubert Ogunde.
The Special Adviser promised that in line with the fifth Pillar of the current administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda which deals with Entertainment and Tourism, the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC) will continue to promote arts and culture in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, in her remarks at the event, acknowledged the efforts of the members of the State Council for Arts and Culture including the Writer, the Director, Stage Manager, Anchor person and all the crew and cast as well as other artistic contributors to the Play.
Oyinade, who was represented at the event by the Director of Research and Development in the Ministry, Mrs. Yetunde Simpson, said that this year’s World Theatre Day and the performances by the Council for Arts and Culture Troupe are equal to the global standard of theatrical performance.
On his part, the Director and CEO, Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Idowu Johnson appreciated the troupe for their scintillating performance which not only captivated the audience but also underscored the importance of peace to the society.
He said that the performance of the troupe has clearly shown that theatre as a form of art, is a vital tool in achieving a peaceful society.
