A professor of arts and President of the Nigeria Academy of Letters, Duro Oni, has commended the management of National Arts Theatre under the leadership of Prof. Sunday Ododo for using the creative industry as emblem of unity in the country.

Oni gave the commendation at the fourth edition of the annual National Theatre Festival of Unity, on Friday in Lagos. The theme of the festival is “Boundless Possibility of Arts”.

The National Theatre Festival of Unity was initiated to build bridges of unity, promote peace and harmony in the country. Activities at the festival include spectacular performances, musicals, comedy, film shows and a street party among other events.

Oni, who gave a lecture on the topic:“Boundless Possibilities of Art: The National Theatre and New Paradigm of Development”, explained the creative industry’s major role in the unity of the country.

“To the best of my knowledge, prior to 2020, there was no such thing as the “Festival of Unity,” embodied in a festival of arts.

“To be certain, FESTAC had a global and more expansive festival of arts geared toward showcasing and promoting African and African Diaspora arts and cultural heritage.

“In contrast, the “Festival of Unity” is more localised, and it is geared toward showcasing and promoting more specifically Nigerian arts and cultural heritage.

“Hence, it is the first of its kind which is geared toward upholding the core mandate of the National Theatre, to present, promote, and preserve the Nigerian cultural heritage,” he said.

Oni said that the management of the National Theatre was a great game changer in achieving the core mandate of a vibrant creative industry.

He also associated the National Theatre Festival of Unity to the French Festival of Unity and Indivisibility of Aug. 10, 1793, which he said brought stronger ties in the French colony.

“There is no gain saying that for some of us the festival has become part and parcel of our lives.

“We always look forward to it every December with nostalgia, and we congratulate the current management for keeping the flag flying.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that this fourth edition was themed “Boundless Possibilities”, which to my mind refers not just to the boundless possibilities of festivals of arts such as we are witnessing, but of the arts in general,” he said.

Oni also suggested that the National Theatre Festival of Unity should not only be sustained as a December affair but should be institutionalised by subsequent administrations.

“The sole purpose of bringing people of different ethnic nationalities together to celebrate and uphold Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is very important.

“Indeed, the National Theatre should be a creative hub, where one activity or another takes place every now and then. The more regular such events are, the more bridges are erected across ethnic, tribal, and religious lines.

“Looking at the planned project of the Federal Government with that of the current management of National Theatre, there is no doubt that there is much more in the offing, as the Honourable Minister as advocated, “The National Theatre is not just an edifice; it’s a symbol of our nation’s psyche.

“We need to use innovation and digital disruptions to make the National Theatre give back to the economy of Nigeria whilst warehousing over 250 different Nigerian cultures.” he said.

In an interview with newsmen, the Artistic Director/ CEO, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, also commended the doggedness of the management of National Arts Theatre toward sustaining the festival of unity.

“This year’s festival of unity comes with high expectations judging from the numerous successes recorded in the past.

“We have been a formidable partner in progress and we have contributed much to the success of the programme.

“This year’s programme and title is tilted to the vision of President Bola Tinubu, communicated through the supervising Minister.

“We expect a high tempo festival that will draw all the important dignitaries in the creative industry,” he said.