The 25th edition of the Theatre Arts Festivals kicks off in Lagos, Nigeria
By Mercy Adhiambo Oginga
The Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF) began in style last on Monday. The grand festival is in its 25thedition since its inception. “Theatre, Governance, and Globalization” is the theme of the 2019 NUTAF festival. The event is taking place at the Lagos State University, and over 16 universities are expected to participate in the festival. The event sponsored by MTN Foundation will take six days.
During the opening ceremony held at the National Theatre, PREMIUM TIMES was in attendance. Theatre art students from different participating universities showcased their talents and skills in performing arts.
The performers were dressed in colorful costumes to reflect Nigeria’s diverse and unique culture. They also expressed their preparedness and zeal to make festival remarkable. The festival is aimed at closing the gap between theoretical and practical studies in performing arts training offered in various universities in the country.
According to Biodun Abe, the festival director, during the opening ceremony, about 20 universities would take part in the event. He said the event was first held in 1981, stating that “…successive generations of theatre art students missed the direction and for many years, the festival did not hold.”
Pooling of Talents
The Vice-Chancellor of Plateau State University, Yohana Izam, MTN Foundation, directors, NUTAF Board of Trustees members, and Lagos State Ministry of Arts and Culture, among others, attended the opening ceremony.
The universities performing at the festival include the following:
- Federal University
- Adekunle Ajasin University
- Oye Ekiti
- Ekiti State University
- Benin University
- Lagos State University
- Abia State University
- University of Calabar
- Gregory University
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- Plateau State University
- Olabisi Onabanjo University
- University of Abuja
- University of Ilorin
- Lead City University
- Egbinedon University
- University of Nigeria Nsukka, etc.
Mr. Abe attributed the fall of the festival to misconceiving it for power tussle and political activity among students. It was revived recently.
Dennis Okoro, the director of MTN Foundation, stated that NUTAF is just one of the many causes the organization promotes due to its arts and craft mandate. He stressed the importance to promote young and creative performing arts talents. The organization also supports musicals.
The Love for Arts
According to Isreal Eboh, the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) president, NUTAF 2019 is meant to bridge the gap between ‘town and gown’ because the participants would graduate and join the theatrical industry.
He said, “We discovered that most of the times, they find it difficult to transition because they were confined to the four walls of the universities.”
Mr. Eboh said the festival will help theatre arts students to widen their horizon and possibilities, “exposing them to real technical facilities within the sector.” He is also the chairman of the National Planning Committee for NUTAF 2019.
He said arts students must access modern facilities and techniques to gain the skills needed to work in the global market. The local theatre and related products must begin to operate at the global level.
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