The General Manager of National Arts Theatre, Lagos, Prof. Sunday Ododo, has assured creative industry stakeholders of utmost security within the premises of the National Theatre when the ongoing renovation is completed.
Ododo gave the assurance on Wednesday during a stakeholders meeting with creative industry players held in Lagos.
The theme of the programme was : “National Theatre As a Business Enterprise-Critical Stakeholders Dialogue”.
The General Manager said that plans were underway to erect a police station within the premises of the National Theatre upon completion of its renovation.
According to him, fears relating to security should not be entertained as the organisation will ensure that security is taken care of.
” Security is important here. We want you all to operate within this premises without fear. So, we are going to have a police station here to beef up security.
” We will engage many security outfits to ensure you all operate without fear of been robbed by miscreants,” he said.
Ododo said that part of the security measures to be adopted was use of digital technology to capture every activity within the National Theatre.
” Activities within the new National Theatre will be digitally captured on a daily basis, this is for security reasons and to have the demography of our audience,” he said.
The General Manager urged stakeholders to concentrate on improving their arts as they engage in knowledge upgrade and branding.
Earlier, Mr Joseph Edgar, Chief Executive Officer, Duke of Shomolu Productions, had called on the management of the National Theatre to work with the right structure and human resources to achieve their objectives of promoting and preserving the nation’s cultures.
He said the National Theatre should be operated with formidable policies capable of contributing to job creation and economic growth.
He urged stakeholders in the creative industry to explore the National Theatre with a conscious mindset that the National Theatre was a partner for economic growth.
“ I see a strong optimism in the management of the National Theatre. I see a management with clarity of purpose.
“ Theatre touches an important aspect of national economy, considering the multiplier effect of tourists influx into the country.
“Theatre should be seen as an engine room for economic growth, If I as an individual can generate N800million from theatre in 3 years, the prospect for the National Theatre is huge.
“Individuals should be sensitive to the quantitative benefit of theatre,” he said.
Also, Mr Charles Ukbong, urged the management of the National Theatre to ensure proper marketing of its programmes by creating a You tube channel and a viable website.
He advised the use of social media marketing and television commercials to exhibit and market its programmes
He said that there was need for the current management of the National Theatre to recreate the wrong perception of Nigerians of the Iconic cultural outfit.
” The National Theatre should ensure that the programmes outlined for the audience are of immense value to them and sponsors
” I will also advise that the National Theatre form a formidable synergy with the creative industry stakeholders to ensure that most of the performances in the new National Theatre are curated ones,” he said.
Dr Best Onyekaba of the Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos, said that the National Theatre management should take out time to understand the modalities of price, product, place and promotion.
According to him, this will help them operate effectively within the purview of their mission and vision.
