While commending the appointment of Senator Anyim Pius Anyim as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Association  of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that seasoned technocrats, rather than politicians should make up his new cabinet.

This call was made by the Secretary of the association on Tuesday 31st May at the Silverbird Entertainment Centre where the Australian High Commission celebrated their Indigenous Culture Day in Abuja.

”The appointment of Senator Anyim as SSG deserves commendation and we hope that the President will continue in such way and avoid putting round pegs in square holes. The right persons should be put up in the right place for that is the only way success can be assured.” Prince Jerry Adesewo said and went on to add ‘However, we are particularly concerned by the culture industry. As a critical stakeholder, we want to implore the President to look beyond his political parties and close associates in the selection of the next set of Ministers, especially the Ministers of Culture and that of Education, Aviation etc.”

The Abuja based theatre director and Artistic Director of Arojah Royal Theatre further said that ‘The immediate past Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Sadiq, though a Scientist, tried his best in discharging his duty accordingly, having honestly confessed upon taking office that ‘the closest he knows about culture is Tales by Moonlight but that he is willing to learn and learn fast’.  What we want is for the President to appoint someone from within the industry.”

Prince Adesewo argued further that there are tested culture administrators from across the nation who are necessarily not politicians that can stir the ship of the industry better than politicians who often get the edge. “It is certain that the President already have his list but considering the likes of the former Art Editor of Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Ben Tomoloju, current Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Mr Odia Ofeimum the Poet-Politician and former PA to the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and a host of other great minds who have the passion to contribute to the development of the sector and the nation at large because no nation can reach its peak without first repositioning and harnessing the richness of its culture.