UNIVERSITIES CAN MAKE NIGERIA’S CREATIVE INDUSTRY RESPONSIVE – ABU VC Tells SONTA UNIVERSITIES CAN MAKE NIGERIA’S CREATIVE INDUSTRY RESPONSIVE

* VC, ABU, Prof. Ibrahim Garba

As part of efforts to use the creative industry as a means to showcase various well-meaning aspects of the lives of Nigerians and the resilience of the Nigerian artists, the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Professor Ibrahim Garba, has stated that Universities, through their Theatre and Performing Arts departments have the capacity to make the Nigerian creative industry responsive to the yearnings of many Nigerians.

The Vice Chancellor made this statement during a courtesy visit paid him recently by the EXCO Members of Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), after they had assessed the facilities of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, ABU, and the Department’s readiness to host the Society’s 2020 Annual International Conference, tagged, SONTA ABU Zazzau 2020.

According to Professor Garba, Nigeria’s creative industry has untapped potentials which can make Nigeria lead the world in terms of knowledge production, adding that the industry only needs more philosophical theorisations to back its already robust practice.

“The Nigerian creative industry is currently being dwarfed by the little amount of philosophy to back its practice. Over the years, new aspects of creative arts have joined the more traditional arts and there is a need to conceptualise them; and make them responsive to yearnings of Nigerians.

“ABU Zaria, through its Drama Unit, now the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, has always been in the forefront in the discourse of world drama. Now, we want to lead the discussion on how best to make the Nigerian creative industry responsive in a way that theory will meet practice;” he said.

* SONTA President, Prof. Alex Asigbo briefing VC, ABU

On his part, the President of SONTA, Professor Alex Chinwuba Asigbo, while speaking, noted that the University has satisfied all the requirements needed to make the 2020 Conference of the Society memorable, from the choice of the conference theme to the facilities visited, saying that the need to make the Nigerian creative industry responsive is imperative considering the little theorisations on the industry.

“Great art works in the world are built on philosophies and theorisations and the Society is glad in the theme ABU Zaria has chosen for the Conference. We have toured the University and has seen the facilities; and we have no doubt that this University can lead the discourse towards having a socially responsive industry.

“As a Society, we solicit the support of the University to assist the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts in making the conference successful, especially regarding the availability of resources and facilities;” he said.

While speaking on behalf of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the Chairperson, Dr. Sylvanus Dangoji, stated that the LOC is ready to organise a never-before-seen SONTA Conference, saying that the 2020 edition is a paradigm shift from political biases and themes of past conferences.

On her part, the Head of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Dr. Rasheedah Liman, assured the SONTA EXCO Members, promising that the Department has the human capacity and has made all necessary plans to ensure a smooth SONTA ABU Zazzau 2020 Conference.

* By  Victor IHIDERO