The Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), held its 23rd Conference and Annual General Meeting between the 2nd and 5th of June 2010, at the Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State.
SONTA is a forum for theatre practitioners, artists, as well as scholars in the field of theatre arts in Nigeria, which is concerned with promoting Nigeria’s image through the medium of theatre. Members meet annually to deliberate on successes recorded, challenges, and the way forward in carrying out set goals. This year, the focus was on projecting Nigeria’s socio-cultural image through the theatre medium.
The Executive Secretary, Dr. Barclays F. Ayakoroma, who is a member of this society of theatre intellectuals, was at SONTA 2010 in dual capacity: firstly, representing the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, and secondly, as a resource person.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Minister, Dr Ayakoroma stressed the need for a frequent round table conference by societies like SONTA to encourage the cultural consciousness of the members and Nigerians in general. He also charged Nigerian theatre practitioners, artists, and scholars to concentrate more on the projection of Nigerian culture in particular, as against Western cultures.
Dr. Ayakoroma further stated that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, will always be supportive of SONTA’s activities, as it shares in its ideology, which is, projecting Nigerian image through our culture, values and norms. He therefore urged SONTA not to shy away from contacting the ministry for assistance, where the need arises.
In his paper presentation, as a resource person, on the topic, “Nigeria Video Films and the Image Question: A Critical Reading of Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s Home in Exile,” Dr. Ayakoroma called on SONTA and all other organizations with the mandate of promoting Nigerian’s image. He said they should shoulder the responsibility by promoting our diverse cultural values, patronizing Nigerian’s fabrics, and home videos, which are rich in traditions, to encourage our children and youths to be proudly Nigerians in all spheres of endeavour.
Speaking further, Dr. Ayakoroma stated that, “if we as Nigerians, especially as arts and cultural practitioners, workers and scholars do not blow our own trumpet, nobody else will do it for us,” noting that the way we project ourselves is the way the outside world will look at us.
The 2010 SONTA Conference and Annual General Meeting witnessed paper presentations from renowned theatre artists and scholars from across the country, with topics touching on diverse national importance. There was also books exhibition, where various educational books on theatre arts and culture, and the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) was not left out.
NICO Executive Secretary was accompanied by the Management and staff of the Institute.
Hajiya Fatima Mustapha
Corporate Affairs
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