President of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, Distinguished Thespian Israel Eboh, fta, has concluded a 3-day working visit to Bayelsa State in the South-South region of Nigeria, in continuation of his nationwide working cum consultation visits, which had seen him visit Abuja and Delta States, in recent weeks.
While in Yenagoa, Mr. Eboh, who was joined by a member of the Body of Fellows of NANTAP, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, fta, visited the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, of the University, where the process of establishing the UAT Chapel of NANTAP, which would allow the students have a seamless transition into the association was concluded just as the Registrar of the University, Dr. Akpoebi Adesi, was presented with his certificate of membership.
The president and his team also visited the Niger Delta University, where the process of establishing the NDU Chapel of NANTAP was finalised; and the immediate past Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University, Professor Christine Odi and the University Orator, Professor Ben Binebai, were presented with their certificates of membership.
The team also visited the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Ovom-Yenagoa, where it met with the Acting Director, Mr. Andrew Ebi Kirifagha, who himself is a member of NANTAP, and, of course, members of staff of the agency, which Professor Barclays Ayakoroma once headed.
The relationship between NANTAP and the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture will now see members of staff register and participate actively as members of NANTAP in Bayelsa State and nationally, as their professional association of choice.
The NANTAP President, who has since returned to his base in Lagos, confirmed that the visit, which was from 18th to 20th April, 2023, was successful and members from across the nation and within the art scene would soon see the benefits of it.
“This visit has allowed us to strengthen our presence in Bayelsa, among practitioners and academics of the two major educational institutions in the state. And of course, the Arts Council.”
According to Mr. Eboh, “among other things, Bayelsa State chapter of NANTAP, in collaboration with the State Government, will play host to a major activity of the Association before the year runs out.”
He concluded by calling on NANTAP members in Bayelsa State and nationwide to ensure that they justify the place of theatre in nation-building by playing their roles accordingly and with every sense of patriotism.
