ABUJA – Mr Denja Abdulahi, Director Performance, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), on
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Monday in Abuja blamed the decline in the theatre industry on poor infrastructure development.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Abdulahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that poor infrastructure contributed immensely to the [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
shift from live performances to the movies by entertainment fans.
“Many artistes have jumped into the movies because they believe that it is where it is happening and it gives quick money.
“But they forget that if you are not grounded in live performances your acting career will not be [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
accomplished. It is not supposed to be an all comers affair,’’ he said.
Abdulahi, who is also the National Vice-President of the Association of Nigerian Authors, said the country did not have a well developed theatre industry among other challenges facing it.
“If the trend continues, our children will not have the opportunity of watching live performances whether it is customised or not.
“Secondly, we are training and graduating theater artistes all over the federation but there is no industry to absorb them,” he told NAN.
He said the development of the industry should not be left for the government, adding that all stakeholders should pool their resources together to salvage the situation.
“Nigerians want to copy Hollywood but go to America, they still patronise their theatres,” Abdulahi said.
He also said that part of the reasons investment in the theatre business remained low was that many investors want quick returns on investment whereas the industry required long-term planning.
“The industry is not a bakery where you buy your flour in the morning, mix in the afternoon and by night your bread is ready for the market.
“We have to convince those who have money to invest to be ready for a long-term return on investment,’’ the NCAC director said.
Abdulahi said that if the industry was properly funded and developed, it would create more employment opportunities than it was currently doing. (NAN)