New Telegraph 
Employment prospects for many Nigerians, especially the youths, will improve when the ongoing renovation of the National Arts Theatre, which is being sponsored by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, is completed, writes TONY CHUKWUNYEM
In October 2019, when Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, accompanied by top officials of the apex bank and CEOs of nation’s deposit money banks (DMBs) held a press conference at the National Arts Theatre complex to announced that they (CBN and Bankers’ Committee) would fund the renovation of the iconic edifice, he used the opportunity to highlight the job creation potential of the project.
Youthful population
Noting that close to 60 per cent of Nigeria’s estimated population of 200 million were under the age of 35, indicating that the country has a youthful population that needs to be engaged,
Emefiele expressed regrets that many educated youths were unemployed despite the fact that many of them had unleashed their creative talents in creating jobs in the music, movie, fashion and IT industries.
According to him, the Bankers’ Committee’s Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), under which lenders use funds drawn from the Agribusiness, Small and Medium Enterprises Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) to support startups and existing businesses in the creative industry space, would be leveraged to revive the National Theatre.
The CBN governor said: “We will build a hub around this edifice to accommodate them (youths) so that they can develop their God-given gift. I can imagine what this place will look like in another two years. Every weekend, if there will be something happening here, it will boost the tourism potential of Lagos State and Nigeria.
“Nigerians go out of the country for different seminars. I must say this bluntly, there was a time within three months that Nigerian businessmen were going to South Africa to attend almost four seminars, and they were saying that Nigeria does not have a convention centre.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman, Body of Bank CEOs and GMD Access Bank, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the National Arts Theatre restoration initiative was in line with the Federal Government’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.
“We have been to several countries on the continent, none of them has an edifice like this. Now, ours is a relic, but we believe that in two years, working under the auspices of the CBN governor, we would be able to raise the requisite private sector funds to support and give this centre a proper facelift,” he said.
Also, speaking to newsmen during another tour of the National Arts Theater in July last year, Emefiele projected that over one million jobs would be created within 18 months once the restoration of the complex was completed.
Approved MoU
However, the impact of COVID- 19 on socio-economic activities in the country last year seemed to have affected activities relating to the restoration of the theatre and it was only in February this year when, following the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s approval of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Information and Culture and the CBN/Bankers’ Committee, a contract award signing ceremony for the handover of the National Arts Theatre to the Bankers’ Committee for restoration and refurbishment was held in Lagos.
In his speech at the event, which had in attendance the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and top banking industry officials, the CBN governor shed more light on the project, disclosing that over 35,000 jobs would be created during and after the restoration and refurbishment of the Arts complex.
He said: “As you are aware, the National Arts Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings in Nigeria and despite its current state, nearly 45 years after it was built, it has continued to inspire the creativity of Nigerians, especially amongst the teeming youthful population. The idea behind the project christened: Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre (LCEC), is simple.
“Firstly, we seek to restore the glory of an iconic building by aligning most of the fabric and equipment and facilities in the building with the aesthetics of the 21st century and, secondly, to develop an ecosystem of creative hubs on the adjoining 44 hectare parcel of land.
This new facility will complement and enhance the National Arts Theatre. “The Bankers’ Committee is providing funding for a prototype cluster located to the north of the National Arts Theatre, a development, which we have labelled the ‘Signature Cluster.’ This facility will be a convenor – providing space, support network, business development and community engagement for the creative, cultural and technology sectors.
The signature cluster will consist of a building each for music, film, fashion and information technology verticals. In addition to these, a welcome/ visitor’s centre, Police and Fire Stations and structured parking for up to 500 vehicles will be built.”
Continuing, he said: “Consequently, the 44 hectare site adjourning the National Theatre will be developed and utilised for the development of purposebuilt creative hubs for the fashion industry, music and film as well as information technology (IT).
The aim is to deliver a successful creative and entertainment city that will encourage additional investment into Nigeria’s creative industry.” Reiterating that the project was aimed primarily at providing an avenue for the active engagement of the youths in the country and the creation of jobs, the CBN governor said: “We anticipate that there would be at least 10,000 direct and indirect jobs created during the construction of the Lagos Creative & Entertainment Centre. We also project that over 25,000 people would be engaged in different sections of the centre when the
Signature Cluster is completed, with anticipated multiplier effect of other job opportunities.” Emefiele also stated that the CBN/Bankers’ Committee will work with environmental and hydrology specialists to ensure that the existing natural ecosystem that has been formed in the land adjourning the National Theatre over the decades “will remain largely undisturbed and preserved.”
Latest inspection tour
Indeed, during a high-level inspection of the facility that was undertaken on Sunday by the CBN governor, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, the inspection team was informed that mitigation plans had been put in place to support the preservation of the natural ecosystem and manage all potential impacts, in line with the project sponsors’ commitment to ensure legacy of sound environmental principles.
The inspection team, which expressed satisfaction with the level of renovation being carried out at the complex, noted that major milestones had been achieved since construction on the site commenced early in 2021.
In fact, in a statement issued on Sunday, the Bankers’ Committee said: “Since the award of contracts in March 2021, the main and sub-contractors and several specialist contractors have followed a rigorous project plan of identifying and saving items of significant historical value and art, stripping away and decommissioning, carrying out integrity assessments, creating new services routes and remodelling some of the interior spaces, including nearly 300 units of conveniences.
“The entire heating, ventilation, air conditioning system, power, water supply and sewage systems were currently being replaced, while fire safety standards are being significantly upgraded.
“The nearly 3000sqm roof terrace, which had been a major source of leakages, is also currently undergoing repair, while the floors, walls, panels and ceilings have been stripped back as part of a plan to ensure that all underlying structures are able to support new finishes.
“In the 4,000-seater main bowl, the new stage infrastructure will deliver future-fit performing arts spaces, for dance, theatre, music and multimedia, with adjustable acoustics and advanced technical systems, adaptable to the requirements of audiences, artists, and sponsors.”
Conclusion
With crime rates in the country at record high levels, the consensus among analysts is that all stakeholders must collaborate to ensure that the renovation of the complex is completed on schedule.
