The General Manager, National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos, Professor Sunday Ododo, yesterday said that motion picture and music recording accounted for roughly N730 billion of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020,
Prof Ododo stated this in his address at the “Inter Agency Engagement on National Theatre Approach to Wealth Creation’ held at the Marquee centre of the National Theatre.
The Inter Agency Engagement forum had in attendance various stakeholder agencies that deliberated on how to create synergies in helping the National Theatre fulfill its mandate.
Prof Ododo said the telecommunications and information services segment made up some N8.5 trillion, making the sector the most viable in the creative and entertainment industry.
“Arts, entertainment and recreation grossed N158 million while Publishing contributed N18.8 million.
He said: “Here we have heads of government agencies and parastatals and key players in the creative industry who have contributed to the figures individually through programmes, products and creative contents but seldom collaborative programmes.
“Unfortunately, the penchant to `go alone’ has greatly hampered our earning power due to underutilisation of the strength, expertise acumen and sagacity spread among us.
“Why has this unprofitable and crippling individualistic tendencies persisted among us? The answer is the lack of periodic inter-agency engagement where we can all crystalise our visions, pull our strengths and resources and set more nationalistic goals,” he said.
Prof Ododo called for more collaborations between government agencies and also called for harmonious relationship between stakeholders in the creative industry.
“Rather than unite as our mandates are intertwined, we have worked at cross purposes allowing petty inter-agency rivalries, suspicion and acrimonies to dictate interactions among and between us, rather we need more synergy.
“I am happy when as part of the headlines following the 2nd edition of National Theatre Festival of Unity held between Dec. 10 and 12 this year when the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) was in action during the Command Performance with the caption `NTN stages a com back.
“More so, National Theatre management is glad to see the Troupe take the stage again especially as we have provided the platform for them to express their mandate,” he said.
Prof Ododo added “Culture, creative and entertainment industry is a behemoth of pecuniary benefits with untamed wealth. We at the National Theatre have an approach to create wealth from this industry through the following programmes.
“Product and creative contents: Talent hunt, Open Theatre Series, Exhibition of Nigeria Royal Regalia and Paraphernalia, Skill Acquisition Academy, National Festival of Horns and Flutes, Durbar Sights and Sounds and Cottage Theatre Development Series.
“Others are: Digital Music and Studio Projects, Annual Expo, Fashion. Film, Literature and Allied Arts, National Theatre Monograph Series. National Theatre Academy, National Theatre Annual Festival of Unity, National Theatre Quarterly Public Play, Reading, and National Theatre Radio and Television to mention a few.
“These are our vision going into the new year and years ahead to stage similar programmes like those we are planning, hence we crave for supports, collaboration and guidance.
“Talking about broadcasting, we will need to work closely with Radio Nigeria because they have the best training school in Nigeria, this will definitely provide a solid training platform for our would-be broadcasters,” he said.
Prof Ododo said that the nation is expecting a world class structure with the completion of the renovation of the National Theatre, hence all hands must be on deck to ensure its sustainability.
“We have a brand name and a palatial edifice that has hosted world class events and is billed to be one stop entertainment hub in Africa when the renovation is completed.
“A performance at National Theatre anywhere in the world is the crowning glory for any artist. This is why a proposal endorsed by a large number of us can attract foreign grants and host local events.
“We will also have opportunities for international exchanges of ideas, thereby giving unfettered and unbridled mobility to creative ideas.
