We’re Not Selling National Theatre To Lagos – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that the Federal Government has no plans to sell the National Art Theatre to the Lagos State Government.

Mohammed further clarified that the Lagos government offered to renovate some theatre facilities as part of its collaboration with the federal government.

The minister made the comments on Tuesday, April 4, during a meeting with Nigerian content developers at the MIPTV conference in Cannes, France.

“I want to say it loud and clear that there is no iota of truth in the rumour that we are selling the national theatre to the Lagos state government,” Mohammed said according to Vanguard.

“We do not have the capacity to do so and will never do so. What is happening is that we are fortunate to have a governor like Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos who is very passionate about the creative industry.

“The governor decided that he is going to mark the 50th anniversary of Lagos with cultural activities, films, music and he was looking for a befitting venue. He now decided to take the opportunity of this 50th anniversary to collaborate with the federal government to revamp the national theatre to use it as a venue for most of the programmes and at the same time laid the foundation for a viral and dynamic creative industry.

“The governor is asking for nothing, rather he is foresighted in knowing that a renovated and functional national theatre will be a catalyst for the film industry, theatre art, music.

“He also realized that by revamping the theatre, more young men and women will be able to exhibit their talents and more jobs will be created and more taxes will accrue to Lagos state purse.

“Therefore, for everybody it is a win-win situation and there is no attempt whatsoever to sell any national asset to anybody,” he added.

The event was hosted by the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Modibbo Kawu.