Finally, moribund National Theatre is alive once again

Though the shopping malls have not returned, the cinema halls are alive and the main bowl (there is just three of its type in the world) would be fully functional at the end of this quarter, the management says. The 34 year-old edifice, which was the cynosure during FESTAC 77 ( for which it was […]

Though the shopping malls have not returned, the cinema halls are alive and the main bowl (there is just three of its type in the world) would be fully functional at the end of this quarter, the management says.

The 34 year-old edifice, which was the cynosure during FESTAC 77 ( for which it was built) has long been neglected and its fans have been waiting the death knell. But there has been a turnaround, thanks to a renewed zeal  by the government and the new management led by Mr. Kabiru Yusuf, the general manger and Chief Executive Officer, to bring it back to live.

Renovation so far has cost over N500 million, Mr Yusuf says. Though, the figure is huge, the CEO feels the complex, with the modest rehabilitation and some more to come, could raise sufficient revenue to fulfil its potentials.

“If you ask me how much I need to fix the whole theater, I would require over N3 billion. For instance, to install the entire central air conditioning system in the complex will gulp at least N1 billion. To put all the sophisticated lighting equipments, computerized digital console of over 100 channels, computer channels to enable me put computer, on each chair, projectors, computers and other equipments, perhaps another N1 billion would have been expended,” he told journalists in Lagos after a facility tour of the complex.

“When I came in, the National Theatre had not been remitting its revenue to the federal government. Since I came in, I have remitted N133 million. Last year alone I remitted N75 million in spite the lack of facilities. But as time goes on, we will improve and the federal government will have more confidence investing some more.

“This year we are going after corporate organisations to come invest in the National Theatre. We want them to brand the halls, walls and other places because the NT is an icon of culture. It is Nigeria’s heritage house and from the branding, we will generate more money,” he noted adding that they have also created the business development and events management department out of the marketing department to help develop new business opportunities for the edifice.

Facilities fixed so far:

The main bowl:

The main bowl was meant for three purposes – sports, conferences and theatrical performances. The major problem with the hall was the leaking roof but the federal government has fixed that with N1.2 billion.

The revolving stage has been repaired and is now revolving. The press conference hall has been fitted with internet facilities.

Also five halls have been revitalized and are fully functional at the moment, Yusuf said. They include;

a). CBAAC hall – Facilities installed include; tiling of the floor, construction of stage, rehabilitation of toilets, furnishing the hall with 2000 new chairs, rehabilitation of ceiling and installation of six new split air conditioners.

b). Cinema hall I – renovation of projector room, installation of new projectors, provision of dimmer and complete lighting, installation of wall fans in sound and stage lighting booth, provision of sound mixer and eight microphones.

c). Cinema hall II – Renovation of projector room, rehabilitation of two projectors, installation of 2800 watts amplifier, provision of dimmer and complete lighting, provision/installation of sound mixer and eight microphones and installation of wall fans in sound and stage lighting booth.

d). Banquet/conference hall – Installation of dimmer and complete lighting, provision and installation of sound mixer and eight microphones.

e). Exhibition hall – Provision of dimmer light and complete lighting. (He explained that the NT acquired 2000 plastic seats from Spain for the exhibition hall because local ones are not strong enough)

Water works

Complete overhauling of water works with five water pumps installed and two panels. Also we have completed the paneling and fixing of pumps for fire hydrants which have not worked in 20 years. Water plant will also supply water to the emergency fire service in the theatre.

Security

Fencing and construction of five gates around the NT beside the police post headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, a private guard has been engaged with sniffer dogs and the amber lights have been fixed.

“We also have surveillance cameras around the complex. By the third quarter we will buy a bus that the police will be using for patrolling the NT complex,” Mr Yusuf said.

Power

A new 1500KVA generator has been installed to power the entire complex with a 450KVA backup.

On free users of the complex

The CEO has lamented the attitudes of people who seek to make use of the facility without paying for it saying they constitute a major challenge to the management.

“I am putting a stop to it because the decree stabling the NT says it is a business that would make profits and plough the money generated back into federal government coffers,” he said.

“Because you are theatre association doesn’t mean you should get the halls free for your programmes and social gatherings. We give them a 50 percent rebate most times and that is the much we can do. I don’t get a rebate for the PHCN bills or the diesel I run the generators on; I have got huge bills in salaries to pick, and I have the environment to keep. It cost me huge sums to mow the grass around the theatre every month. I have to pay cleaners to clean the halls they and would use and provide security. I don’t get subsidy on all of this. So, while we try to encourage them, as one of our core mandate, they will also help us to keep the place going and serve them better. If you come with a production, we will encourage you. But if you are doing some social gathering, we won’t,” he concluded.

Around the theatre

The CEO said when he came, he initiated meetings with tenants in the theater who before now dump refuse in the canal but have now stopped. All of them collect their wastes in bins to be evacuated.

“No more dumping of refuse and dead bodies in the Lagoon. Even the military came to dump refuse in the Lagoon but we have taken it up with their authorities and they have stopped. We intend to work with private investors to clean up the lagoon, purify the water and build a boat restaurant on the lagoon,” he said.