Minister Says Partnership With Lagos State Will Breathe Life Into National Theatre

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said
the partnership between the Federal Government and Lagos State on the
renovation of the National Theatre will breathe life into the national
edifice.

Speaking after an inspection tour of the National Theatre in Lagos on
Saturday, ahead of the renovation to be carried out by Lagos State,
the Minister described the theatre as a valuable national asset that
cannot be allowed to become derelict.

”We are here today (Saturday) to take physical stock of what the
Lagos State Government has offered to help us with – that is the
rehabilitation of the National Theatre.

”I want to use the opportunity to express my gratitude and that of
the Federal Government to the Governor, the Government and the people
of Lagos state, who have graciously offered to assist to renovate the
main bowl of the National Theatre, two cinema halls, the exhibition
lobby and the banquet hall as part of the collaboration between the
Federal Government and the State, especially as the state turns 50
this year,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said ”with the hand of friendship
that the Lagos Government has extended to us, we are very hopeful that
we are going to get the main bowl, two cinema halls, the exhibition
lobby and the banquet hall renovated and ready for the Lagos at 50
celebration”.

”The National Theatre is an asset we can boast of, and what we need
to do is to bring it back to a working condition,” he said.

The Minister promised that after the renovation, the national edifice
will not be allowed to go into a state of disrepair again.

”I know that the question on the lips of many people is that what
happens after the renovation. But I want to assure Nigerians that it
cannot be business as usual. The National Theatre now has a new
management that is in tune with reality and we will simply not allow
the National Theatre to degenerate to the level we met it today,” he
said.

Alhaji Mohammed said Lagos State will benefit massively from the
renovation of the theatre, ”because it is going to give the necessary
impetus to the creative industry”.