AN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY PROF. ALEX ASIGBO, THE 9TH PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY OF NIGERIA THEATRE ARTISITS (SONTA)

Protocol

I thank God Almighty for this day, the day I am assuming office as the 9th President of our dear association, the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA). SONTA has come a long way from its foundation in 1982. I want to thank all the past presidents of SONTA for their dedication and vision which has brought us to where we are today. I want to thank the immediate past president, Prof. Sunday E. Ododo, who took over from Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura and added more innovations. Prof. Ododo, congrats! It is often said that “no man should be called successful until after his death.” Know that even though Prof Ododo has completed his tenure and has midwife a successful transition, he remains a part and parcel of this my administration. I thank God that I was part of not only Ododo’s executive but also those of Akinwale, Gbilekaa and Dandaura. Hence, we have a robust pool of experience to draw from.

       

This is not a speech making day. But let me say that I have reasons to suspect that the members of this executive are vibrant and hardworking young men and women ready to serve. On their behalf, I promise that we will not fail you. My EXCO members, the task is enormous, the shoe is really big. Please, get ready to work for SONTA. To whom much is given, much more is expected. Together, we will achieve success.

Let me salute the gentlemanly spirit of Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, my teacher and elder brother, whose understanding was very crucial to the eventual outcome of the election. Since he has accepted to serve in this executive, SONTA will be having two presidents for the price of one. We will work together for the good of SONTA. Dr. Ayakoroma, I doff my cap in appreciation.

Finally, like the immediate past president said yesterday, his executive was a success because of the good followership of SONTA members. I ask for similar and even support from you all. Membership of SONTA cuts across my teachers, my mentors, my colleagues, my students and my friends. Please I pray for your unalloyed support. This executive has a listening ear. Suggestions on how to move SONTA to greater heights are most welcome. Constructive, and not destructive, criticism can help us individually and collectively. Also, please be ever ready to serve under any committee you are so appointed into in the bid to achieve the SONTA of our dream.

Gentlemen and ladies, as Idi Amin of Uganda will always say:  “Thank you. Thank you very much. And thank you very much indeed”, as we hit the ground running.

Prof. Alex Asigbo

9th President of SONTA