The National Theatre Lagos will on Monday, September 5, host a gathering of some of Nigeria’s best brains as the inaugural edition of the Christy Essien-Igbokwe Memorial Symposium holds. The theme which the gathering will examine from every perspective is The Artiste in the Socio-Political Development of a Nation.

•Essien

Already confirmed as speakers at the symposium are former Minister of Information & Communication – the celebrated past Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof Dora Akunyili; renowned broadcaster, publisher and two term Senator of the Federal Republic, Mrs. Chris Anyanwu; famed artiste and politician, Ms. Onyeka Onwenu and iconic journalist and author, Mr. Tunde Thompson.

The symposium which is open to the public is a major part of the grand activities leading to the burial of the nation’s lady of songs and extra-ordinary performer, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, who transited on June 30, 2011.

Eminent economist, art patron and former Chairman of PPRA, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi will be Chairman of the occasion to which many dignitaries have been invited including Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN and the Honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism & National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke.

Former Delta State Commissioner for Youth, Sports & Culture, Dr. Austin Izagbo, who is Chairman of the Christy Essien – Igbokwe Burial Committee has said that in a rapidly changing world in which Nigerian music, movies and other cultural products have shown great potential to become dominant global economic players, the theme of the symposium is germane.

He has therefore called on all serious intellectuals, bankers, artistes, students and everyone in quest of knowledge to storm the National Theatre on Monday September 5 for the symposium which begins at 10 am.