SONTA-ABUJA 2022
RE- VISIT OF NATIONAL EXCO TO THE HOST DEPARTMENT.
Good morning distinguished SONTA Members
Yesterday, the national Executive Committee, Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), visited the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja (host of the 2022 edition of our National Conference and Annual General meeting). The meeting was fruitful as it afforded us the opportunity to assess the level of preparedness by the Department.
We also paid a courtesy visit on the Vice-chancellor, Prof AbdulRasheed N’ Allah, who expressed joy at the decision of SONTA to award the 2022, hosting rights to University of Abuja. He promised to support the conference as much as possible amidst the lean resources of the University at the moment.
However, it was observed during the meeting that the over 7months ASUU strike has dealt a big blow to preparations generally and also, the general response of members to timeliness in particular.
As at the time of the meeting , only 18 full papers out of 120 abstracts had come in.
The sudden demise of our colleague Prof Adakolle Oklobia, has also affected the mood of Local Organising Committee members.
Nevertheless, if we must uphold our basic principle of the “show must go on” then certain critical decisions must be taken and we did as follows:
1. If we are to produce a book of proceedings, full papers must come in latest, 12midnight Saturday 5th November, 2022.
2. A list of possible hotels with their respective rates and account number Must be provided by LOC, latest, Thursday, 3rd November, 2022, while interested members will be given a time frame within which to indicate their preferences.
3. We encourage members to pay conference registration and participation fees ahead of the conference to avoid crowding the registration desk on arrival.
4. All professional award recipients Must comply with terms and conditions on or before Friday 4th November, 2022.
The time lines as stated above, are very critical to the success of the forthcoming conference. Exco regrets all the inconveniences caused by this tight schedule.