Theatre Practitioners under the aegis of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), Nigerian Chapter, have said there is need for the different professional bodies within the sector to identify the need to meet regularly and interact to find permanent solutions to the common challenges facing Performing Artists in Nigeria today.

Also, ITI-Nigeria has re-emphasized its commitment to the vision of providing a central and neutral platform for stakeholders to cross-fertilize ideas by way of networking and engaging in discussions on common issues and challenges that pertain to the various disciplines in the Performing Arts sector in Nigeria.

These were part of the resolutions made at 3rd Meeting of the Executive Council of the Chapter held at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka-Lagos, on Thursday, 28th August, 2014 and made available to NICO News.

According to the President of ITI-Nigeria, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, who is also the Head, Department of Theatre and Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), with the centre set to facilitate greater networking and robust interactions between affiliate professional groups in the country and international bodies with similar goals, its activities shall be to extend networking windows to Nigerian universities offering courses in Theatre, Drama and Performing arts, facilitate international exchange of theatre troupes, connect Nigerian artists to the right international associations and people, build good image and create awareness about the performing artist, his work and rights in Nigeria, amongst others.

Making it clear that ITI was not out to take-over the activities of affiliate associations, Dandaura said, rather, what ITI was concerned with was to compliment their activities by facilitating mutual exchanges, partnerships and collaborations among the various associations, troupes and abundant talents in the country.

“ITI will report the activities of these associations and groups to the international communities in order to enable these groups benefit from the opportunities that are open at the international level,” he said.

He therefore appealed for sacrifices from council members, saying the process of rebuilding the activities of the chapter will no doubt be challenging and time consuming.

Members present at the meeting were the Chapter Vice-President of ITI, Professor Alex Asigbo; SONTA President, Professor Sunday Ododo; Executive Secretary, NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma; Secretary-General, NANTAP, Ms. Titilayo Akinmoyo; Director, National Troupe, Mr. Arnold Udoka, ITI-Nigeria Director of Operations, Mr. Taiwo Afolabi; Professor Tracie Utoh-Ezeajugh, as well as Mrs. Pamela Udoka.

Caleb Nor

Corporate Affairs Unit

NICO, Abuja