Buhari Commissions National Arts Theatre

At the current level of completion, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohamed, has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari will before the end of his tenure commission the newly refurbished National Arts Theatre (NAT).

This is as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, revealed that foreign investors, particularly from the United States were showing interest in investing in the Nigerian creative sector.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the NAT on Saturday, the Minister of Information said the national edifice would be ready to host global events by the United Nations as well as the World Health Organisation (WHO) by November this year.

Lai Mohammed said, “It seems very hopeful now that the new National Theatre will host the United Nations, World Health Organisation sometime in November this year and also some other global events. From what you see, you may not appreciate half of what has gone on. I think we have crossed the rubicon and by the time we come back in two months time, we will all see that a lot of work had been buried under.

“Once again I want to express my appreciation to the CBN governor, the Bankers Committee, that have made it possible for us to have enough finance and of course to the governor of Lagos State because he is also providing the enabling environment in terms of rail transportation, in terms of making use of the waterways. I want to assure you that from what we have heard today this will not be an abandoned project, this project will be commissioned before the end of this administration.”

For his part, the CBN governor also confirmed that the national edifice will be ready for commissioning by the President in November this year, saying, “Our target is that by the special grace of God, Mr. President will commission the new National Arts Theatre by November. And we are hoping also on the day he commissions the the new NAT, he is also going to lay the foundation for the four verticals; the music, the movie, IT as well as the fashion hub.

“It is very, very extensive work but we believe also that by the time President is about bowing out by May next year, he would come again and now re-commission not just the national edifice, but the entire edifice comprising the four vertical hubs so that there will be immense business opportunities, enough of tourism, enough of creative sector businesses that will be generated, not just for Nigeria but particularly for our youths who have shown a lot of creative talents and we think we need to use this opportunity to harness it.

“I am getting excited because we are hoping that by sometime around by the end of this year, there will be some programs and global activities will be hosted in this complex. We would be talking to Art gallery and hopefully by this year we can bring the Art exhibition into this complex because we know that by November this place will be ready so that we can begin to bring this place back to us again and then put life into the tourism life in Nigeria and particularly in Lagos State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this project is costing the Bankers Committee by last estimate about $100 million and I must say that yes $100 million is about $100 million or more will be invested in this project, but it is going to be business where the monies will be realised.

“I am happy that foreign investors are already showing interest and I want to place it on record that we have received enquiries from the United States, from investors who have said that they are interested in taking a look at not just the National Art Theatre, but also the creative opportunities that we are developing around here.”