Akinsola Mendra Adejuwon, the newly appointed Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe of Nigeria has formally assumed duty as head of the National Troupe, a Parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation. Mr. Akinsolu Adejuwon from Ekiti State takes over from Mr. Martin Adaji.

He becomes the fourth Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe of Nigeria since the Troupe’s formal establishment in 1991. Foremost theatre director, Bayo Oduneye and the Dean of the College of Humanities of Redeemer’s University, Professor Ahmed Yerima have at various times led the Troupe as Artistic Director.

A theory cum practically oriented artist, Mr. Adejuwon was until his appointment as Artistic Director on Thursday, September 11, 2014, a Museum Curator of the Institute of Cultural Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Design of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a Master of Arts Degree in African Arts Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Currently the Chairman of the Osun State Chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and member of the Nigerian Field Society, the new Chief Executive Officer of the National Troupe has designed, organized and attended several conferences, seminars and workshops and has curated, coordinated and executed a number of local and internationally acclaimed exhibitions.

A widely travelled artist whose current research activities include a study on Festivals of Yoruba land, Adejuwon has since been meeting with management, staff and stakeholders of the National Troupe. His immediate plans, as Artistic Director is to reposition the National Troupe and to make the Troupe a truly national and international performing arts company.

At a brief handing ceremony held at the National Theatre on Thursday, the former Artistic Director, Martin Adaji congratulated Mr. Adejuwon on his appointment and thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving him the opportunity to serve.

Culled from: http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/national-troupe-adejuwon-takes-over-from-adaji.