By Mcphilips Nwachukwu, Culture

His eloquence and poise speak of one who understands the intricate terrain of his tasks. His understanding of the issues regarding the culture and tourism sector was heart warming to the critical culture journalists, who engaged him after his tour round of the facilities of the National Theatre, Centre for Black, African Art and Civilisation, CBAAC and National Troupe of Nigeria, NTN.

That was High Chief Edem Duke, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, who came to Lagos, last week, on a one day facility visit of the parastatals in his Ministry.

On ground to receive him were, Mallam Yusufu Kabir, General Manager of National Theatre, Professor Tunde Babawale, Director and Chief Executive of CBAAC and Mr Martins Adaji, Artistic Director of National Troupe.

Also on ground to welcome the Minister, was the troupe of the Nation which displayed scintillating performances that portrayed the great and heterogeneous culture of great Nigeria.

So carried away by the beauty of the performance, the glory of its choreography and the symbolic depth of its lyrical and sound compositions, the traditional chief in the Minister was called out when he entered into a symbolic conversation with the lead performer of an Ekpe masquerade display at the event.

As beautiful as this performance was, High Chief Edem Duke was however piqued by the state of the nation’s cultural soul, the National Theatre. After his tour round of the facility, and during a media address with the journalist, the Minister immediately appealed to the Federal Government to adopt the National Theatre, a National Monument.

High Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation (middle) with Martin Adaji, Artistic Director of National Troupe(right) and Mallam Kabir Yusuf , during his visit at the culture house

According to him, the culture house represents one of the most identifiable national symbols about Nigeria at home and abroad.“ I want to state that as a matter of urgency that the National Theatre should be adopted as a national monument.

“ The image of the National Theatre, the Mother Idia Mask that it wears, have all come to represent the most recognizable images about Nigeria.” He said.

The Minister felt visibly disturbed with the dilapidated state of the National Theatre, despite the huge sum of money being invested in rehabilitation effort by the present leadership of the parastatal’s General Manager, Mallam Yusufu Kabir.

He therefore further called on the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the dying parastatal.

Since according to him, “’the structure represents the country spiritually and physically.”

” When we recognise that the theatre was built in the last 25 years or there about, it becomes saddening to see that it has come to this state of dilapidation.” He said.

Continuing, he argued that , “ There are countries that have built theatres that have stood to a 100 years or above. It is therefore a challenge to have our theatre in this state of dilapidation in half a decade.”

While welcoming, the Minister, Artistic Director of National Troupe reiterated the need for more funding to the troupe to enable it carry out its designated tasks.

“Our budgetary allocation has remained grossly inadequate for us to achieve the objectivities that are set out in our enabling decrees in the last six years.” He said.