t was a bad new year gift for the entire staff of the National Troupe of Nigeria and especially the ten male artist dancers working in the performance company of National Troupe of Nigeria, as an early morning inferno last Monday razed down the male camp of the artistic hostel located just a few metres away from the snack and drinks bars popularly known as (abe-igi) at the National Theatre Iganmu, Lagos.

For NICO to engage in this innovative project means that its administration really understands the importance of taking inventory of our affairs. It is a clear evidence of the fact that the Institute understands that the culture sector can help, in no small measure, in massaging our ailing democratic process.

Nigeria’s 50 years since the attainment of independence to many, have been a turbulent march towards nationhood. Looking at past records on economic issues, high rate of unemployment, individuals especially youths’ involvement in societal ills and worst of them all, an inclement political climate which became disastrous during years of military dictatorship, one ponders if the country’s golden jubilee was really worth celebrating.

Perhaps deriving from the fact that security which is the most important and all pervading issue in national life has not been given its due place by the Federal Government as the Police which is saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order have been having daunting challenges in doing that in decades; many individuals and organisations have come up with alternative suggestions in the last few years, each with its own way of contributing towards addressing the security challenges facing the nation.

Last October Nigeria , the most populous country in Africa celebrated 50 years of its existence as an independent nation. And in the spirit of that golden jubilee celebration, many individuals and groups rolled out drums for the great event.