*Convention to honour Ekiti First Lady, 29 other professionals
FROM Thursday September 16 through 18, theatre artistes from all over the country are converging on Ado Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State for the the 2021 National Delegates Convention of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
Dubbed Ekiti NDC 2021, the Convention is historic in the sense that it will mark the 30th anniversary of the organisation that has remained the most recognised home of all practising theatre artistes in the country, and those in the Diaspora.
The Ekiti convention is also an elective congress that will elect a new set of executives to rin the affairs of the organisation for the next three years. The election holds on the last day of the convention, Saturday September 18.
Briefing the media recently, Israel Eboh, fta, current president of the NANTAP stressed that the Ekiti Convention will adopt electronic voting in choosing its is “an elective congress.”
This, Eboh said, is to address the challenges posed by Covid-19 and ensure an all-inclusive process, the umbrella body of all theatre and allied arts practitioners in Nigeria has chosen to go global. NANTAP will join a growing list of organisations in Nigeria, who have embraced technology in the discharge of their various activities, especially the electoral process.
“This is a necessary step to take at a time like this. The world is changing every passing day and the creative sector has always been a pacesetter. We are happy with this partnership with Chams Nigeria PLC, as it avails us that opportunity to carry all of our members, within and all over the world along with our activities, especially the electoral process”, said Eboh.
He added that, considering the new normal, and the fact that not all members would be able to make it to Ekiti, going digital with the electoral process is the way to go. The President also said “I could not hide my excitement of this possibilities, at a time in our national life where we are still deliberating whether elections should happen manually or digitally. Chams PLC is an authority in this field, and we are today benefitting from their expertise as a partner for the 2021 National Delegates Convention.”
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…Fayemi, Ozokwor, Lewis, others to be honoured
IN a release yesterday, the NANTAP president disclosed that Ekiti’s first Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, a writer and human right activist, would be decorated along with veteran Nollywood actor, Patience Ozokwor and 28 other distinguished members of NANTAP at the award night. will be among 30 people to be conferred with the highest Honour award of the organisation.
A release from the association of Monday says the fellowship, officially known as ‘Fellow of Theatre Arts (FTA), is the association’s highest meritorious award, conferred on her members in recognition of their contributions to the practice of theatre over the years.
With this conferment, says the statement, the honourees assume the ‘Distinguished Thespian’ status and can use the ‘fta’ prefix in front of their names.
On Saturday September 18, the 30 fellow-designate are expected to file out to be decorated by the NANTAP President, Distinguished Thespian Israel Eboh, in company of the Chairman of the Board of Fellows (BoF), Professor Duro Oni of the University of Lagos.
Among the honourees are: two former Presidents of the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes (SONTA), Professor Emmanuel Dandaura and Prof. Sunday Ododo; veteran Nollywood actor, Akin Lewis; dancer, choreographer and theatre schloar, Esther Onwuka of the University of Abuja; former President of the Guild of Nigerian Dancers (GOND), Steve James; DG, Rivers State Tourism Commission, Yibo Koko, and Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi.
Said NANTAP President, Eboh, “There are many first as far as this year’s convention is concerned. It is the first time we are being officially hosted by a state government, and to this we are greatful to the Ekiti State first family, the government and people of Ekiti State and the Commissioner of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, who is one of our own, for identifying with us.”
Eboh added that the celebration was deferred last year because of the rampaging COVID-19 that shut down the entire world, hence, the association is having a fellowship investiture for 30 deserving members, which is unprecedented in the history of the association.
“Another first in the 30 years history of NANTAP is the conferment of Honorary Fellowship on deserving members of the society, and in this case, the writer-activist and art lover and promoter, First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi who deserves this recognition for her invaluable support to the arts and culture sector.”
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IN his pre-Convention welcome address, Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, paints a picture of the cultural feast that awaits the delegates.
Titled “Welcome To The Land Of Honour,” the dance practitioner and scholar, wrote:
“Esteemed members of NANTAP, on behalf of the government and good people of the rolling hills (Ekiti), I wish you safe travels as you journey to Ado-Ekiti for the 2021 edition of NANTAP convention and 30th anniversary.
“We thank you for allowing the government of Dr John Kayode Fayemi to be your partner on this project. We will ensure that this partnership is developed symbiotically and sustained for the good of our nation and the advancement of our profession.
“As you come to Ekiti, please note that the weather is currently cold and wet. Also, be prepared to eat plenty of pounded yam, ira soup, bush meat while constantly washing them down with the products of the best tappers in the world. I particularly recommend ira soup for you. Apart from ensuring that you never have malaria, ira soup is reputed for improving fertility and longevity. That is why our women don’t complain and World Health Organisation has declared our State as having the highest life expectancy in Nigeria.
“So, as you are busy with the convention schedule, make sure you create time to move around and savour Ekiti hospitality. While praying for your safe arrivals, I am looking forward to personally receiving you at the gate to Adetiloye Hall, Fountain Hotel, Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti which is the point of arrival.
“In okun o.”
