Author: Pauline Adegbe
Newly
appointed General Manager of the National Art Theatre in Lagos, Stella Oyedepo,
has appealed for all hands to be on deck to transform the art and culture
industry, stating that the challenges expected to greet her upon her resumption
at the office can only be levelled with cooperation from different quarters.
Dr.
Oyedepo who described her appointment by the federal government as a ‘a
pleasant surprise’ stressed that taking over the office was like ‘water to
fish’ having served as the Executive Director and Artistic Director of the
Kwara State Arts Council for 17 years, but to record commendable achievements,
determination and hard work are necessary.
She said, “Every assignment has its challenges. When I come on the stream; I’ve not actually arrived on stream, we will put heads together and see what we can do to turn the place around. With cooperation from different quarters, determination, hard work and God on our side, we will record commendable achievements. I will also say that with God, all things are possible. I’m not being religious but everybody draws his strength from somebody and I do draw my strength from God.
“So,
with God and determination, we shall succeed. The mountains will be levelled.
We will work hard to resolve all issues and conflicts. They are human issues,
not supernatural or superhuman issues so we will evolve means of tackling them
effectively.” She was quoted by tribuneonlineng.com
The
64-year-old writer is known for her 1988 play, ‘The Greatest Gift’ and the 2001
play, ‘Brain Has No Gender’, which was written for the Kwara State Ministry of
Education for Women-in-Science Programme; most of her work are centered on
marriage, corruption, politics, and family life.
Oyedepo, who is the first female to occupy the
position previously held by Jimmy Atte, Professor Femi Osofisan, and Professor
Ahmed Yerima, played down the historic appointment, arguing that result is much
more important than the gender leading the institution, “I wasn’t expecting it. It came as a very pleasant surprise and I attribute it to God, giving me another opportunity to serve, to do what I know how to do best. It doesn’t matter whether male or female, it’s the delivery that matters”. Oyedepo warned.
With
over 30 books under her belt, and her experience as a playwright and astute
culture administrator, the author is confidence that the theatre industry will
experience positive growth and improvement, as well as reconcile aggrieved
parties under her management, “There will be improvement, positive growth
because we will look at things holistically to ascertain what’s hampering
progress and proffer solutions. We will resolve all grievances and operate in a
very peaceful, loving atmosphere so that we all can pull in the same direction
and grow the theatre”. Oyedepo said
She also addressed the achievement of FESTAC
’77, with a promise to bring back the glory days by looking into infrastructure
and programming that will be a resemblance of the World Black and African
Festival of Arts and Culture, “The lost glory must be brought back. It was
really a glorious place in those days; where we showcased FESTAC ’77. It was a
glorious place and the lost glory must be brought back. We will look at
infrastructure, programming and other things that will help us restore the lost
glory. It’s the cultural showpiece of this nation, so nothing will be allowed
to tarnish its glory”. Oyedepo concluded
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