Saturday,23rd of January 2016, while
idle youths who have found engagement in
crime roam the city almost unchecked, the
Artists Village
(the only artistically functional
part of the National Theatre- a gigantic
edifice with no soul)
is under invasion.Many young
artists who have found a creative outlet for
their youthful energy shall be violently
uprooted from this space. Their properties
destroyed, savings stolen and all of them
rendered idle. These artists shall soon begin
to envy their contemporaries,
who have taken
to crime by wrecking havoc on a sleeping
society. Shame, a big shame.
Let it be on record before the battle begins,
that the DG (Kabiru Yusuf) of the National
Arts Theatre has become a complete
nuisance to the Artists community. And since
he is a representative of the Federal
Government, his recent action further tells us
that this present government is bent on
completely destroying the arts and creative
expressions.
THE PRE-EMPTIVE BULLDOZER.
As we were rejoicing with Jelili Atiku on his
release from Kirikiri, the Artistes village,
which
is annexed to the
national theatre witnessed a
demolition in the early hours of yesterday,
Saturday 23rd January 2016. The space,
which can be readily considered as the only
space that still brews creativity within the
entire structure of the national theatre, whose
glory is constantly sinking into the muddy
grounds surrounding it.
Eyewitnesses reported that the DG in
company of a battalion of fully armed
policemen, including the DPO came to the
artists village with bulldozers at about 5am
yesterday and started demolishing
workshops
and structures that housed veteran actors,
painters, sculptors, drums etc. without prior
notice of evacuation.
As if this wasn't bad enough, the DG ordered
that anyone pleading or reacting to this move
should be shot. Presently some artistes are
receiving treatment at the hospital.
In fear of the reaction of the angry youths at
the village, the DG brought out a pistol, shot
in the air, and once again ordered the police
to continue shooting before running away
from the scene.
The ugly incidence have rendered a lot of the
artistes mentally homeless and destroyed
their priceless intellectual properties.
This is another call to action for the general
public, the symbolism of constant menace to
the artists in our society, should make us all
worry at the level of inconsideration that is
yet
to hit many of us within the larger society. In
the name of advancement, cruelty is
becoming the proposed weapon here. I am
highly worried because obviously this is an
order coming from the minister Lai
Muhammed who visited
the edifice few weeks ago.
I, like many others began our careers in this
village, this is a very sad news because we
still got our memories imbued in those
demolished edifices, and the destruction of
that space may lead to trauma and a creative
discontent which the state is not willing to go
into with its creative citizens.
This madness is becoming a norm, and as
you know, when some shy lucks are given
power, they misuse it and become tyrants to
the society. This is the case of the DG of the
national theatre. He has called for a battle
and he will get it beyond his wildest
imagination.
Art is a profession and not a hobby I insist.
Artists should be respected just as other
professionals I insist. It's time to speak truth
directly to power.
Still on the mater #ArtistsVillage
Heartless people with terrible mindset leading us. They derived joy in destroying the artists career than creating better opportunities that will improve the Arts and Artists life in Nigeria. National theatre is already a dead zone since the DG Kabiru gets there. Leaders with no good vision for the Arts. No respect for the art, terrible leaders with bad intension. #LetTheArtistsBe
what the country would export and showcase
to the world. According to Segun Adefila "If
you get power
Wey make you feel higher
On top your yeye tower
Abeg remember
Say some people dey lower
Wey dey feed on your sewer
Dem no mind your butter
Becos your butter better
Becos your butter better
An Open letter to "THE BEAST in a Bishop's collar"
Would somebody pls help advice our senior Landlord in charge of the National Theatre to please take a walk (Not in his SUVs) to the national stadium here in Surulere which is some few miles away from the NT itself on Sundays to see how people come from different works of life for aerobics and other fitness programs.
The National stadium which is open to the public at no cost is been like dt for decades and i have never heard for once that DG of the National Stadium or management of the Sports commission wakes up one morning and say nobody should come training in there again because they are illegal users or because there are hoodlums in there. Instead, They have created a very friendly atmosphere for the people which is positively engaging the youth and developing the community. Even If you are not a sportsman at least u wanna keep fit.
Oga landlord, what have you done to improve the arts? What empowerment programs have you designed for Theatre professionals and art enthusiasts?
Sir, you are too business minded and its killing our Arts. You destroyed intellectual properties worth millions because of your selfish interest, you demolished dance studios of some of Africa's finest Dance magicians, sculptors, visual artists etc. The police you hired shot one of our own in the process and Out of your beastly act, you even destroyed properties of the Federal government of Nigeria which was built with tax payers money. Our own money.
Do u know how many lives you have ruined? because some of the affected artists may not recover from that loss. These are young chaps trying to survive and you just ruined them and I kept wondering what level of credibility you showed at the federal level during the GEJ's govt to have appoint you as a Theatre and/or cultural administrator. You have failed us.
Remember, you are a frog sitting on a golden chair; the pond is where you belong and i can assure you that Karma awaits you there.Something is surely waiting for you just around the bend.
Danilson Moreno Preto Swo and 48 others.
Here is the enemy of the Art. This is man
should be rearing animal, Notting to do in the
Art for him. He is not an Artiste. Independent
Artiste need government support not
government harassment.
It is sad to hear that the DG(kabiru yusuf) of the National Arts Theatre as become a menace to the Art society.
The Artiste village witnessed a demolition in the early hours of this day Saturday 23rd January 2016.
Eyewitnesses report that the DG in company of a battalion of fully armed policemen came to the village with bulldozers at exactly 5am and started demolishing structures that housed veteran actors, painters, sculptors and nations new generation thespians without any prior notice of evacuation.
As if this wasn't bad enough, the DG ordered that anyone pleading or reacting to this move should be shot. Hence, the shootings and bloodshed that took place today. Presently some artistes are receiving treatment at the hospital.
In fear of the reaction of the angry youths at the village, the DG brought out a pistol, shot in the air, and once again ordered the police to continue shooting before running away.
The ugly incidence left a lot of the artiste homeless and destroyed their priceless paintings and intellectual properties.
In view of this, I would like to use this medium to plead with the general public to kindly help spread the news till it reaches who ever can come to their aid and put an end to this madness as it is becoming a norm that when some shy lucks are giving power, they misuse it and become tyrants to the society.
Art is a profession and not an hobby
We should be respected as other professionals..
Art. Under. Siege. Art Killers!
Very shameful....where are the change agents.
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