Ireti Kingibe, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has alerted the federal government to the National Arts Theatre in Lagos.
Mrs. Ireti Kingibe said Nigeria owes the future generation a duty to preserve cultural heritages that they would learn from. She regretted that arts worth billions of naira are at risk of destruction in the basement of the National Arts Theater.
Mrs. Kingibe, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism, called for proper documentation, preservation and protection of the cultural heritages for future generations.
In a statement, published on her X handle, on Thursday, the FCT Senator explained that “It would not make sense for our great-grandchildren not to have knowledge of anything that happened before“.
She emphasized that Nigeria’s cultural heritages and sites could serve as a source of revenue generation for the country if given the needed attention.
“The National Arts Theatre in Lagos stands as a symbol of our nation’s rich history and creative expression. It hosted FESTAC ’77, one of Africa’s largest art, culture, and music festivals, and every aspect of this iconic building should reflect that legacy.
“In the basement of the National Arts Theatre is a treasure trove of artistic expression worth billions of naira, with art pieces that showcase the diverse cultural heritage of our beloved nation.
“We must ensure that these valuable artifacts are properly documented, preserved, and protected for future generations. The creative economy and tourism sectors have immense potential for growth, positive image branding and major source of revenue generation.
“Let us work together to promote our cultural heritage, support our artists, sports people and unlock the full potential of our creative economy. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to preserve and celebrate our rich cultural legacy,”
she said.
