The Abuja Chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Thursday, 27th March, 2014, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Theatre Day, with the theme, “Theatre and a Culture of Peace,” an event that took place at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Central Business District, Abuja, under the chairmanship of Dr. Joseph Golwa, Director-General of the Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution, Abuja.
In his good will message, the UN Representative, Brett Bailey, whose message was read at the occasion by 
Mr. Patrick Otoro, lauded the theatre for its enormous contributions to global peace and tranquillity because, as he put it, “people are drawn together to commune in the ephemeral theatrical worlds that we create to express our human complexity, our diversity, our vulnerability, in living flesh, and breath, and voice.”
According to him, “we come to be energized, and to be empowered. To celebrate the wealth of our various cultures and to dissolve the boundaries that divides us;” and charged artists to channel their energies towards galvanizing the people in order to inspire, enchant and to create a world of hope and open-hearted collaboration.
In his speech, the chairman of NANTAP (Abuja Chapter) said as the country marches to another political transition, the theatre remains an important tool for community sensitization and mobilization, and therefore enjoined Nigerians to collaborate with the association to make Nigeria better and to make it the country of our dream.
This year’s celebration also coincided with the inauguration of newly-elected executive members of the Abuja Chapter of the association, which had Chukwuemeka Okereafor (Chairman), Sylvia Ibe (Vice-Chairman), Jerry Adesewo (Secretary), Elizabeth Popoola(Director, Finance), Time Bello (Director, Business), Eze Ezekwesiri (Director, Productions & Screening), Ter Akaa (Director, Research & Documentation), Osondu Ogbuako (Director, Royalties & Commissions), and Emeka Celestine (Chief Whip).
While administering the oath of office on the new executive members, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Barr. Amina Agbaje, urged them to shun self interest which destroys every organization and work for the collective interest of all members in order to stand the taste of time.
The highpoint of the celebration was the presentation of awards to individuals and corporate bodies including, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), for its outstanding support to theatre practice; and the award was received by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, who was accompanied by the Acting Director, Orientation & Cultural Affairs, Mr. Alex Omijie, and members of NICO Cultural Troupe.
Philemon Udeh
Corporate Affairs
NICO HQ, Abuja