The Silver Jubilee Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), which held at the University of Calabar from 12th to 15th September, 2012, has ended, with Benue State University, Makurdi, being awarded the hosting right for the 26th edition of the Annual Conference in 2013, just as the Universities of Port Harcourt and Ilorin would host 2014 and 2015 editions, respectively.
The SONTA National President, Professor Emmanuel Sanu Dandaura, who announced this after the bidding at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), urged the hosting chapters to ensure that they maintain the standard for which the Annual Conference was known.
He said: “As unanimously agreed, I have the privilege to announce that Benue State University Makurdi, Universities of Port Harcourt and Ilorin, will host SONTA annual conference for 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, that is, the 26th, 27th and 28th editions. We thank the University of Calabar, for their efforts in our 25th conference.”
While commending participants in the concluded 25th SONTA Conference, Professor Dandaura said he was impressed at the level of participation of Universities, Colleges of Education and Institutions, saying: “I must tell you that the Exco is impressed at the level of turnout of Universities, Colleges of Education and Institutions, as well as individual members in this Silver Jubilee Conference. We have good turnout of Professors, Doctors and other lecturers. Also, Institutes like National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), should be commended; they have always been regular in SONTA Conferences and events. They had up to four participants in this 25th Conference. The Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, has always been very supportive to SONTA and he has always been present in SONTA events. He encourages his members of staff to come to SONTA events.”
The President also congratulated members of SONTA, who were made Professors in their Universities, those who just got their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), even as he called on those, who were attending SONTA conference for the first time, to make it a point of duty to continue, because they have a lot benefit.
Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs