Uneasy calm at National Theatre
However, Sunday Trust checks suggest some level of uneasy calm in the National Theatre. This is because, less than six months after the former management team headed by Dr. Ahmed Yerima handed over to Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, the then Minister of Culture, Senator Bello Gada relieved him of his job and gave it to Ahmed […]
However, Sunday Trust checks suggest some level of uneasy calm in the National Theatre. This is because, less than six months after the former management team headed by Dr. Ahmed Yerima handed over to Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, the then Minister of Culture, Senator Bello Gada relieved him of his job and gave it to Ahmed Atai.
Yusuf had resumed September last year and was relieved of his job this February.
Sunday Trust checks also reveals a disagreement between Yusuf and the governing board of the National Theatre.
According to sources who wouldn’t want their names in print, the disagreement between Kabiru Yusuf and the board had to do largely with the way the resources of the National Theatre were deployed.
They claimed the board was not comfortable with the way contracts on refurbishing the National Theatre were handled.
A source maintained that since Yusuf inherited a good track record from Yerima, he was bent on surpassing his predecessor by delivering on projects.
One of such projects is the revolving stage which has not been used for about 20 years. “When Yusuf came, he took concrete measures to revive the dormant revolving stage which had not been used in 20 years. Work had started. He was also talking with private investors to concession the canal around the National Theatre so it can be a tourist delight and several other discussions on other projects. But some people are not comfortable,” he said.
Following the development, the minister suspend Kabiru Yusuf and brought another person so there will be no leadership vacuum, he said, adding that there is more to it than meet the eyes.
Speaking exclusively with our reporter, Mrs. Yetunde Fosudo, the Assistant Director, Corporate Affairs maintained that Mallam Yerima left the parastatal honourably after having served for 19 years both at the National Troupe and at the National Theatre as the head.
“I don’t think there is anything abnormal when somebody who has served for 19 years leaves a place. He left here honourably without any form of crisis, so I was very surprised when I started hearing and reading about the alleged Abiku syndrome. It looks very strange indeed,” she said.
Speaking further, Mrs. Fosudo stated that the new Acting General Manager (G.M.) Ahmed Atai was put in place in order to avoid leadership vacuum. “You can see for yourself that there is nothing like crisis in this place, we are all going about our duties lawfully and peacefully, so I just wonder where some people saw crisis,” she stated.
She however did not say why Kabiru Yusuf was removed less than six months in office.
The National Theatre (NT) built 32 years ago for FESTAC 77 had since suffered serious neglect from governments.