The site is set to host the United Nations World Tourism
Organisation and Federal Government of Nigeria conference on “Linking tourism,
culture, and the creative industries: Pathways to recovery and inclusive
development,” between November 14 and 16.
In a statement, CBN
Director, Corporate Communications Department, Osita Nwanisobi, recalled that
the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee, in 2020, collectively agreed to invest over
N65billion to rehabilitate the National Arts Theatre and return it to its
former glory.
They are working closely with the Federal Ministry of
Information and Culture (FMIC), the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,
and the Lagos State Government.
“Over the past 18 months, a complex rehabilitation project
has rebuilt the heart of the National Theatre. More than 70 historic
sculptures, mosaics, resin, brass and wood friezes, and stained-glass artworks
form part of the original design, with each needing to be protected during
renovation or, in some cases, removed and restored before being replaced,” he
said.
Join us as Nigeria hosts @UNWTO Global Conference on linking Tourism, Culture and creative industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development at the National Theatre in Lagos.
— Fed Min of Info & Cu (@FMICNigeria) November 14, 2022
Date: 14-16 Nov. 2020
Register https://t.co/c2pNjAMfOW pic.twitter.com/pMyjrpALIA
According to him:”When the second phase of the
rehabilitation works is completed in March 2023, the National Theatre will be
restored to its original glory. A 5,000-seater main amphitheatre comparable to
anything else in the world will sit at its heart, flanked by two world-class
cinema rooms, banquet halls, and a library.
Nwanisobi said the project was not just about restoring a
building; but about creating an ecosystem of support for the creative sector as
part of what is called the Lagos Creative & Entertainment Centre
(LC&EC).
“The theatre will be at the heart of a more significant
development of hubs focused on supporting emerging talent in the music, film,
fashion, and IT sectors,” he added.
The creative hubs are built on portions of land within the
44Ha site. The first phase, known as the “Signature Cluster” consists of a
building each for Fashion, Music, Film, and IT and support facilities, including
a 250-car park block, a police station, a fire station, and a visitors’ Welcome
Centre which will house commercial and retail facilities, administration and
management offices.
Also commenting on the completion of phase 1, the Governor
of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele said: “The National Theatre is
one of the symbols of Nigeria’s culture and heritage and must be at the heart
of our work to enhance and celebrate the creative industries. The completion of
phase 1 is a demonstration of the outcomes we can achieve when we work together
as the public and private sector.
This is one of the Halls of the iconic National Theatre, Lagos (currently undergoing a major revamp - the most comprehensive one since it opened more than 40 years ago). Now hosting the @UNWTO Global Creative Industries Conference. Follow @FMICNigeria for updates. https://t.co/J8XGPMEOFv
— tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) November 14, 2022
“The Central Bank has been able to bring together the
diverse set of stakeholders required to ensure that this project is delivered,
from the Bankers Committee to the Ministries of Information and Culture, and
Youth and Sports Development, and the Lagos State Government.
We thank Mr. President for his overwhelming support that has
made the restoration of this national iconic symbol of arts and culture a
reality.
“Together, we are not just restoring the National Theatre to
its former glory, but we are establishing the wider foundations on which we can
build a truly world-class creative sector, at home,” Emefiele added.