Professor Emma Dandaura, Head of the Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, has emerged National President of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), for a second term, just as University of Calabar was chosen to host the 2012 Conference.

The election, which took place after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its 24th Annual Conference at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was conducted by Professor Dauda M. Enna, as chairman with Professor Jenks Okwori and Professor Julie Okoh, as other members of the Electoral Committee.

Others elected into office include, Dr. Tracie Uto-Ezeajugh (1st Vice President), Professor Sunnie Enesi Ododo (2nd Vice President) Professor Sam Kafewo (Secretary), Dr. Alex Asigbo (Financial Secretary), Dr. Ameh Dennis Akoh (Treasurer), Dr. AbdulRasheed Adeoye (Events Manger), Dr. Tor Iorapuu (Editor), Greg Mbajiorgu (Business Manager), Sylvanus Dangogi (PRO), Dr. Gowon Ama Doki (Assistant Secretary), and Festus Idoko (Assistant Editor).

In his acceptance speech, Professor Dandaura thanked members for their implicit confidence in his leadership, promising that the new team will ensure continuity of the projects and programmes of the out gone executive: “I am grateful that I was elected again. This confirms how the Society believes in my leadership. I promise that we will carry on with the programmes that will uplift SONTA and do better than we have done before. I commend all of you for coming to SONTA Conference this 2011 and taking part in the events. Let us all put our efforts in building a stronger SONTA.”

Meanwhile, University of Calabar was chosen as the host of SONTA 2012 Conference, and officers have been nominated to help SONTA leadership coordinate the zones for effective organisation of the Society’s programmes, namely, Jonathan Desen Mbachaga (South-East), Best Ugala (South-South), Chikada Daniel (North-Central), etc.

Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs