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National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) will on Thursday, March 27th, 2013, join all theatre practitioners across the world to celebrate the 2013 World Theatre Day (WTD), with a celebration of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio CON, as the WORLD THEATRE DAY 2013 AMBASSADOR for Nigeria.
A Press Release signed by the National Publicity Director, NANTAP, Ozi Okoli, stated that the celebration, which is slated for Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, will have the Honourable Minister of Culture & Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke, as the Chief Host and the Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, as the chairman of the occasion.
The decision to use the national celebration to honour Governor Godswill Akpabio, which was made at NANTAP’s National Convention held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in November 2012, is recognition of his highly remarkable achievements in the arts and entertainment sector of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
The World Theatre Day (WTD), formerly known as, International Theatre Day (ITD), was declared in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in Paris, France, under the auspices of UNESCO, and the celebration has been centering on Theatre Arts and its relevance in positive global theatre development
It is a day specially set aside by UNESCO for theatre artistes all over the world to gather and celebrate together in their various localities, and it has been observed for more than 20 years by NANTAP in Nigeria.
The Association and its state chapters have participated in the celebration through the promotion of WTD messages to the public, international or national theatre festivals on or around March 27th, organizing special performances, symposiums, colloquiums and workshops, circulation of information in the media, giving awards to distinguished personalities, as well as sending out a national message that is in line with the international message.
Activities lined up for the Akwa Ibom celebration are as follows:
Unveiling of World Theatare Day 2013 Logo by Kalu Uka, Professor Emeritus and Doyen of Dramatic Arts.
Presentation of “Ekondo” – A dance-theatre project choreographed by Victor Thompson, on Monday, March 25, at the Little Play House, UNIUYO by 5pm.
“Beyond Expectations”– A performative tribute to Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Uncommon Transformation Agenda written and directed by Sunday Umanah on Tuesday, March 26 at the Little Play House, UNIUYO by 4pm.
World Theatre Day Lecture on the National Theme – “Theatre and a Culture of Peace: Basic Orientation for Consciousness” by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, Artistic Director, Abuja National Carnival on Wednesday March 27th 2013.
Keynote address by the Special Guest of Honour, his Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State and investiture of Nigeria’s WTD 2013 Cultural Ambassador.
Others scheduled to be honoured alongside the Governor include: Hon. Aniekan Umana, Hon. Commissioner for Information & Communication, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Clement Bassey, Hon. Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Sir Boniface Ebewo, Initiator, Real Brass Nigeria, Prince Patrick Idiong, CEO, Ekemini Cultural Troupe, Mrs. Florence Umanah, wife of the Secretary to the State Government, Ms. Emem Isong – CEO, Royal Arts Academy, Mr. Moses Armstrong, International President, Ibom Actors Forum, Mr. Arnold Udoka, Deputy Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. George Ufot, Director of Culture, Federal Ministry of Culture & Tourism, Mr. Ime Victor, Dr. Ubong Nda – HOD, Theatre Arts, UNIUYO, Princess Pat Akpabio of La’Khush Group, as well as Professor Molinta Enendu of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Calabar.
(c) Nico news