By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos – The Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) on Friday disclosed its readiness to empower more Nigerians in various aspects of performing arts during its 12th anniversary.
Mrs Sarah Boulos the Chairperson of the society disclosed this during a news briefing held at Noir Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
The theme for SPAN’s 12th anniversary is ” Your Success, Our Victory” as it holds between Nov.11 and 17 with lots of activities to empower and purge Nigerians of their innate selfish nature.
She said there would be film makers workshop, dance and music workshops which would be executed by the “West Africa Afro Latin Dance Congress” in partnership with “Dance and Art Alive”.
According to her, SPAN has reached out to over 2.5million youths and children with unique propositions that had enabled them learn, share knowledge and develop interest in performing arts in the last 12 years of its existence
She said that the society was not satisfied with Nigerians innate selfish habit which had hindered the growth of most Nigerians.
According to her, this had propelled the society to create awareness on the need to assist others to succeed through empowerment programmes in the performing arts sector of nation’s economy.
She explained that successful Nigerians must be able to attribute their success to the victory of others which will help them to assist others more.
” SPAN is known for two major objectives which are performing arts education and presentation, we are using art as a tool for social change and economic transformation.
” This year, we realised that we, Nigerians are becoming very selfish, everybody is working for his own sole interest, trying to survive, to build up his own treasure and less concerned about others’ success.
” I believe we should be able to help one another to rise and that was what inspired us to come up with the theme “Your Success, Our Victory” as our theme.
” We all should be able to have at the back of our minds that we are succeeding because other are.
” To shift the narrative, I decided to launch a movement which is based on this theme called your success is my victory to sensitise Nigerians to help someone else to succeed,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the society for the performing arts in Nigeria is a non profit organisation with the vision to build a performing arts centre in Nigeria.
To also educate, present and empower the performing artists on their God’s given talents.
Boulos commended the sponsors of the programme: Leadway insurance, Indomie, Cool FM, 7up, Eko Hotel and others.
Mr Buddy Agedah, a dance instructor and one of the organisers said the 7th edition of West Africa Afro Latin Dance Festival was part of SPAN programme for 2019.
He said professional Latin dancers from Europe and over 6 west African countries were expected to hold various forms of workshops between Nov. 14 and Nov.16 at the event.
Also Mr Deola Gimbiya, Coordinator, SPAN Theatre and Film Academy said that the filmmakers bootcamp for the empowerment of intending actors and actresses promises to be entertaining and educating.
She said interested individuals would be taught on the rudiments of movie production, directing and more.
According to her, these people could continue their training with SPAN after the workshop which would hold from Nov. 14 to 17.
Achalugo Ezekobe said been a product of SPAN empowerment programmes in the past, she was willing to volunteer to be one of the resource persons for the 2019 programme.
She said being a member of SPAN had helped her to remain focused and have a sense of belonging as she looked forward to imparting on others.
” My mission here is to help my fellow brothers and sisters regardless of their colour, in as much as they are human and that is the value we should continue to add to one another to grow,” she said.
(NAN)
