Entertainment
CBN Governor Emefiele tours National Theatre, says facility is world class
BY OUR EDITOR
The tour of the National Theatre, Lagos, by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, Saturday, has confirmed RELIABLESOURCENG.COM exclusive report that the apex bank will be taking over rehabilitation of the nation’s foremost cultural edifice.
Emefiele and Herbert Wigwe, managing director of Access Bank and chairman Body of Banks CEO had joined Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, on assessment tour of the National Theatre.
The CBN governor, according to THISDAY report of the tour, said the focus of the Bankers’ Committee was to develop skills in the creative sector of the economy, which he said was bristling with talent that must be properly harnessed to grow the economy and develop the country.
“About three years ago, we were at Peru and we saw what they had there. I can tell you that if this facility is developed, it will be an asset that will be ten times the kind of convention centre that we saw in Peru.
“That is the reason we said our youths need a chance. We need to give youths of this country a chance. That is why under our Creative Industry Financing Initiative, we said, for those who want to do fashion, those who are into movie, information technology and entertainment industry will get support and encouragement.
“We will build a hub around this arts theatre, an edifice to accommodate them so that they can develop their God-given gifts.
“I can imagine what this place will look like in another two years. Every weekend if there will be something happening, it will be happening here. It will boost the tourism potential of Lagos State and Nigeria,” the CBN Governor explained.
READ: E-X-C-L-U-S-I-V-E: CBN takes over National Theatre, Lagos
He reiterated that Nigerians go out to different seminars, saying, there was a time within three months, when Nigerian businessmen were always flying to South Africa to attend seminars, because of the absence of a convention centre.
“This place can stand any world class convention centre you can think about. There is no need for anybody or the union to be afraid that they are going to be laid off.
“We will develop it for them to use and use for the good of their businesses and for their families. But the important thing is that with an asset of this nature going bad, I think our future will not forgive us, our generation unborn will not forgive us if we allow this go to waste,” he added.
On his part, Wigwe said the intervention was in line with the federal government’s vision of lifting 100 million people out of poverty.
“The creative village that is being created, definitely, would provide employment for at least a million Nigerians, who have skills in music, IT, movies, etc.
“We are beginning to think of the multiplier effects – one million direct youths – it may mean that we may have 20 million youths taken out and given proper jobs.
“Now, begin to imagine as well what this edifice would mean if we happen to develop the national theatre. We have been to several countries on the continent; none of them has an edifice like this.
“Now, ours is derelict, but we believe in two years, working under the auspices of the CBN Governor, we would be able to raise the requisite private sector funds to support and give this centre a proper facelift,” Wigwe said.