Ambode bets big with National Theatre

Three weeks ago, January 18th to be precise, I pulled an exclusive on the possible rebound of Nigeria’s once notable glory land of open theatre, culture and entertainment, the National Theatre, Nigerians and foreigners have continued to visit the place to find out the truth.

Apart from direct calls and basket full of SMS from my readers and the concerned artistic community, enquiries from engineering firms, event planners, banks and financial services outfits dovetailed that report. Indeed, at a point I took it upon myself to direct and act as the unofficial marketer and spokesperson for the new emerging glory land of  creative arts and entertainment based on what was on ground and promises made to restore the theater complex to full blown giant it used to be before now.

That traffic of enthusiastic Nigerians and lovers of the Theatre prompted me to pay another visit to the Iganmu address on Thursday last week, not only as a follow up but to put my fingers on the count box of hidden benefits attractive to investors, particularly Lagos government which is “betting” big on the once dusty and abandoned events engine room.

I wept at our shame and dishonour at the many lies told against these strategic beauty and legacy left by our leaders and yet could not be sustained by our leaders. The light to see through the luxury but dusty main bowl of the National Theatre came from the tiny light frame from a phone, a light in the tunnel of darkness to which we pray this place shall once again rebound.

On this day, a very passionate George Ufot, the new man on the block and with a mission to breathe life back into this edifice, was my guide. We all cried together, there was no one to console us but the challenge and promises that Ambode’s Lagos may help change the narratives here.

To those who may not know, the National Theatre main bowel can sit over Five thousand visitors, with the most futuristic stage platform that can be put to various uses at same time. It was built ahead of its time and no such place exists in the entire country and cannot be provided or featured by any of the so called convention or event centres so far dotting the Nigeria entertainment landscape or even projected to be built by mercantile entertainment vendors or their foreign collaborators.

The main bowel with its two major cinema halls, strategically brought to life, could “swallow” the presence outdoor crazy cinema and open cultural dance loving lagosians and visitors looking to where to mingle and discover the burst and boom of Lagos vibrant and creative show biz community.

At the lobby of cinema hall two, an artistic display by Prof. Wole Soyinka led Lagos at 50 events served as strong reminder that governor Ambode may really be serious with the “friendly” takeover of the National Theatre. We need not be convinced that this destination of smiles and sorrow buster sits on choice Lagos land but the truth that need to be told is that Nigeria can longer afford to build anything as close as this, now or in the nearest future.

It therefore sums that the many lies of Edem Duke, former Tourism Minister and his PDP that another National Theatre with a new address in Calabar, was a rouse and deception. Mr. Lai Mohammed must find out the truth but only after the Iganmu Theatre is back to public visits.

And back to this Thursday “over sight”, the workers who must “change” their Civil Service drably work style were seen not too sure if the place will be back to business. Like the gorilla, they are used to 12 feet forward, 12 feet backward, a sign of age long imprisonment of hope and aspiration, not believing that one day, a Lai Mohammed and Ambode of Lagos could to partner to restore the Theatre to its lost and famed glory.

THE RETURN OF “ABE IGI” HOSPITALITY

What Lai Mohammad and possibly Governor Ambode would never tell you is that the once famous under the tree canopy drink and dance exclusive rendezvous will be back at the Theatre grounds. George Ufot plans to plant new trees and trim the unkempt ones, the environment to attract the many patrons nostalgic of the place but who had changed address to national stadium, another place Governor Ambode should dream of transforming for his sports tourism content to truly come to life.

THE COSTAIN/IGANMU ROUND ABOUT

For now, all one can see is big banners with artistic impression of a new look but attractive round about traffic environment that may add to the beauty of visiting the National Theatre. This project, including the one planned for restoration of the theatre by Lagos Governor if it comes up on track and on time, will add up the global ranking of Lagos on liveability and mega city ranking. We hope all these will not end up as “Eko for show”.

MOHAMMAD VISIT, A RAY OF HOPE?

That Lai Mohammed visited the Theatre complex to see things for himself is no longer news. However, we are happy he was persuaded by our report and his aides to take that historic step but we wish he could throw in some seed money to help the dream take shape. Even though am not friends with the Minister and his often mouthed passion to creatively build and generate mountain of statistics to arrive at some unbelievable financial contribution of surreal tourism projects, Lai Mohammed must know that passion without money to work, will end up in frustrations. So Oga Mohammed, please give George Ufot money to do needful on marketing and promotion, brochures, training and retraining of the “gorilla” staff to make them ready for competition.

And hopefully, when the Theatre fully goes operational, the Minister will be at the gates of a new booming National Theatre to welcome patrons and give us believable visitors’ statistics in “cash and kind”.