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| Lai Mohammed |
The
Federal Government of Nigeria has says there’s No plan to sell off the National
Art Theatre to the Lagos State government (LASG), Lai Mohammed Says
Lai Mohammed made this known on Tuesday night at a
dinner with Nigerian TV and online content developers attending the ongoing
MIPTV in Cannes, France.
MIPTV is an annual leading TV and online content
development event and the largest global distribution television and digital
content market.
The minister who described the Arts Theatre as a
national monument stressed that it was impossible for anyone to sell any asset
of government without following the due process and clear cut rules.
He explained that the Lagos government offered to
renovate the main bowl of the theatre, two cinema halls, the exhibition lobby
and the banquet hall as part of its collaboration with the federal government.
“I want to say it loud and clear that there is no iota
of truth in the rumour that we are selling the national theatre to the Lagos
state government.
“We do not have the capacity to do so and will never do
so.
“What is happening is that we are fortunate to have a
governor like Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos who is very passionate about the
creative industry.
“The governor decided that he is going to mark the 50th
anniversary of Lagos with cultural activities, films, music and he was looking
for a befitting venue.
“He now decided to take the opportunity of this 50th
anniversary to collaborate with the federal government to revamp the national
theatre to use it as a venue for most of the programmes and at the same time
laid the foundation for a viral and dynamic creative industry,’’ he said.
The minister noted that the whole essence of the
collaboration for the renovation of the theatre is to ensure that the national
asset did not go into ruins.
“The governor is asking for nothing, rather he is
foresighted in knowing that a renovated and functional national theatre will be
a catalyst for the film industry, theatre art, music.
“He also realised that by revamping the theatre, more
young men and women will be able to exhibit their talents and more jobs will be
created and more taxes will accrue to Lagos state purse.
“Therefore, for everybody, it is a win-win situation
and there is no attempt whatsoever to sell any national asset to anybody,’’ he
said
The dinner was hosted by the Director General of
National Broadcasting Commission, Modibbo Kawu.
Some of the TV and online content developers at the
dinner were, Mr Tajudeen Adepetu the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
Soundcity, ONTVand ONMAX, Mr Jason Njoku the CEO of Iroko TV and Ijeoma Onah of
Aforevo TV, a French Nollywood Channel.
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