Lagos, Nigeria – E be like say we don carry drama come back for Naija as dem finally renovate the National Theatre wey dey Iganmu, Lagos. Dem don change the name to Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, and you gats know say this na big honour for the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
For the grand opening yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu talk say Soyinka na one of the biggest asset wey Africa get, no be small matter. He say the idea to rename the theatre na tribute to Soyinka’s plenty contributions to arts and culture. This place dey like national monument, and e don dey needed makeover for long, na im make dem gather N68 billion from the Bankers’ Committee to do the work.
Soyinka self no hide e feelings as e talk say e accept the honour with mixed feelings. E remember the time wey e dey criticize people wey dey chop public monuments without sense. “I no want to be seen as one of dem wey dey take public property shine,” e talk. But as dem show am the beautiful renovation, even him admit say “if dem fit make me eat my words, na good food for my belle.” (Ol’boy, na real drama this one o!)
As e dey talk for the ceremony, e share some of the memories wey don happen for the theatre. The poet talk say when the theatre dey come down, e get one time say water dey everywhere, and na “one na man dem nearly electrocute” before na him talk say “we go blow this place up if nothing fit happen.” But see as Naija banks don come together to change the whole game! Now dem don create proper space wey go fit host world-class performances and events.
President Tinubu, who dey always dey carry positivity for mouth, talk say make Nigerians believe in their country and stop talking bad. “Stop to dey carry Nigeria for ground. We dey here, we still dey shine,” e advise. Maybe na for the spirit of Independence wey we dey celebrate, he add say we go come together build Naija to the top.
Chief Olayemi Cardoso, the CBN Governor, talk say this theatre na real investment for Naija creative economy, no be just corporate social responsibility. E point say even when the project get wahala like structural issues and global sickness wey disturb dem, dem no shake; dem stand strong. “Na confirm proof say when the private and public sector work together, dem fit achieve any big thing for Nigeria,” e yarn.
Dem troway shoutouts to all the big people wey show face for the event, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Everybody come show say creativity go dey push our culture far reach global stage.
Soyinka talk say he dey appreciate the gesture and hope say di new theatre go inspire many young African artists to create without limits. “Make we no dey travel go far just to enjoy African theatre; we go do am here.” He come conclude say as dem dey commence the revival, make dem ensure the theatre continue to dey work for creative expression and cultural unity.
So, whether you be drama lover or just dey find where to enjoy African creativity, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts dey ready for everybody. All we fit just do na to support the arts and make sure say our culture dey shine bright like diamond!
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