The National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) will do great exploits. That is the impression the culture journalists who met with the parastatal’s new Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akinsola Adejuwon, penultimate Friday in Lagos left with.
For instance, the NTN will be active online in a week, is working on replicating the successful Creative Station programme in two other regions in the country and will very likely move to its own space in the nearest future.
Adejuwon, who affirmed that the NTN is homeless while responding to a question about whether this is the time the agency will move to its own space, said he has already made a proposal to hold two festivals annually as well as performances.
“We want to be out once a month as well as in each of the state of the federation with performances. We must also be relevant and our theme will address performance expression in a conflict environment such as military formations and barracks. We are looking at ways to synergise with relevant agencies within and outside Nigeria to keep National Troupe (of Nigeria) productive and acknowledged,” he said.
The visual artist and academic, who resumed at his new post on September 11, said the greatest asset the NTN has is in the quality of its staff.
He explained that for this reason, his job at the NTN would not only be a wonderful experience but also a walk-over. For him, the new job is like that of a coach and a scout, but the troupe he inherited is to take one or two notches up, as he is conscious of the import and its responsibilities to Nigeria.
Although the NTN is presently based at the National Theatre, which Adejuwon said is being run to make profit, he explained that that is why the troupe is homeless, considering that the NTN may not be able to pay for the space.
“We should be on stage everyday, but where is the stage?” he asked.
He however said that his vision is to, in a short while, no longer depend on the dwindling funding from the government.
Going forward, he said NTN would aggressively market its programmes to serve its public and private sector customers adequately.
Speaking about the value he is bringing to the NTN, Adejuwon pointed to his festival background at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, as well as working with Professor Wole Soyinka, which has given him the push to do better in his new job.
“In fact, when I worked with Demas Nwoko at New Culture Studio, Ibadan, I learnt set and scenic designs, among others. I lived with dancers and I ran a private music and performing outfit. My street credibility is great and I survived on art,” he stated.
Adejuwon hails from Ekiti State. He takes over from Martin Adaji. Established in 1991, the founding artistic director of the NTN was legendary filmmaker, Hubert Ogunde. Foremost theatre director, Bayo Oduneye, and the Dean of the College of Humanities of Redeemers University, Professor Ahmed Yerima, have at various times led the troupe as artistic director.
Until his appointment on Thursday, September 11, Adejuwon was a museum curator of the Institute of Cultural Studies of the OAU. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Design from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and a Master of Arts Degree in African Arts Studies from the OAU, Ile-Ife.
Currently the chairman of the Osun State Chapter of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) and member of the Nigerian Field Society, he has designed, organised and attended several conferences, seminars and workshops and has curated, coordinated and executed a number of local and international exhibitions.
A widely travelled artist whose current research activities include a study on festivals of Yoruba land, Adejuwon has since been meeting with management, staff and stakeholders of NTN. His immediate plan is to reposition NTN and to make the troupe a truly national and international performing arts company.
