Nigeria’s minster for Information
& Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has commended the Governor of Cross River
State, Senator Prof Ben Ayade for sustaining the tradition of theatre, arts and
cultural development as a tool for creating employment for Nigerian youths.
The minister made the statement while
giving his remark after the stage play NIGERIANA was presented by the Cross
River State Ministry of Culture & Tourism. This was on the evening of
Saturday, 16th December 2017, preceding the third and final dry run for the
Carnival Calabar, dubbed Africa’s biggest street party.
In NIGERIANA, the playwright, award
winning, PHD in Choreography holder, Arnold Udoka carefully displays ethnic
characters to express cultural pluralism in postcolonial Nigeria. While the
aftermath of a conflict between two major characters creates trajectory of
forgiveness, love, sense of purpose and unity.
The performance explored the concept
of total theatre as described by American character actor, Steven Berkoff. The
stage play NIGERIANA is the first in the series of presentations made by the
ministry since the pioneer commissioner, Eric Anderson was sworn in two months ago. And in the words of the minister,
it is astonishing. It was directed by Affiong Effiong, a theatre director,
choreographer and experimentalist.
The minister had spent the early part
of the day on tour of mass camps of the carnival bands; worthy of note was
SEAGULL BAND, after a stop at FREEDOM BAND camp. Before retiring for the day,
he was hosted at the historic Cultural Center Calabar, where he was held spell
bound by the breath taking performance of NIGERIANA by Arnold Udoka, as it
exhibits Nigeria’s geo reality and diversity through the dance culture.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Anderson
rendered his utmost appreciation of the presence of the minister at the first
presentation since he took charge of the ministry; saying it is really a good
start for him, he thanked the Governor for the creation of a ministry of
Culture & Tourism, and the appointment of a practitioner, a thespian, in
person of himself.
Speaking further, he appreciated the
Governor for the platform the stage offers many talents to hone their skills,
‘for those with good materials, it is certain the stage will catapult them to
higher level in their career’ he said.
The entire audience left the hall with joy in their hearts, smiles on their faces and applauds echoed from their hands.
The entire audience left the hall with joy in their hearts, smiles on their faces and applauds echoed from their hands.
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