*The Federal Government discloses Nigeria will be hosting the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry November 14-17, 2022, at the National Theatre, in Lagos, currently undergoing renovation, urging the contractors handling the reconstruction project to ensure prompt delivery ahead of the global event

Emmanuel Akosile | 绿帽献妻

The Federal Government has stated that the iconic National Theatre, at Iganmu, in Lagos State, currently under renovation, will be known as the 鈥楲agos Creative and Entertainment Centre鈥� when completed.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister for Information and Culture, disclosed this development Tuesday, April 19, 2022, in Madrid, Spain, while signing an agreement on Nigeria鈥檚 hosting of the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry.

National Theatre, Lagos

The bilateral agreement was signed between Nigeria and United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) at the organisation鈥檚 headquarters, reports the News Agency of Nigeria.

The Minister also said that the global conference, which would hold from November 14 to November 17, would be the first event to be staged at the newly refurbished edifice in Lagos.

Mohammed stated: 鈥淣igeria will be hosting the event at the National Theatre in Lagos, which is currently being renovated at a cost of 100 million dollars under a partnership between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Bankers鈥� Committee/Central Bank of Nigeria.

鈥淚t is the first of such renovation of the iconic edifice in over four decades.

鈥淚n addition to the renovation, new hubs are being constructed, within the premises of the National Theatre, for fashion, Information, technology, film and music.鈥�

He further noted: 鈥淲ith that, the National Theatre is now known as the Lagos Creative and Entertainment Centre.

鈥淚n addition, the Lagos surface rail system, to serve the National Theatre, will be commissioned ahead of the Global Conference.鈥�

Mohammed said the signing of the bilateral agreement signified Nigeria鈥檚 commitment to host the event.

The Minister, therefore, directed that the contractors handling the reconstruction project must ensure its prompt delivery for the global event.

According to him, in an effort at ensuring that the complex is ready for hosting November 2022, Mohammed recently undertook an inspection tour of ongoing work there with stakeholders.

The stakeholders on the inspection tour, according to the Minister, were Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, and Mr. Sunday Dare, Honourable Minister for Sports and Youth Development.

There was every indication that the venue would be ready early enough to host the global conference, stated Alhaji Mohammed.

Mr. Ademola Seriki, Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, who said he is a member of the Board of Directors of the company handling the reconstruction project, also disclosed that the renovated edifice would be completed before the global event later this year.

Seriki, who accompanied the Minister for Information and Culture to the bilateral agreement signing ceremony in Madrid, commended the UNWTO for giving Nigeria the right to host the maiden global conference.

The Nigerian envoy noted the conference would bring a huge reputation to the country and assert Nigeria鈥檚 lead in music, theatre and other areas of entertainment in Africa.

Mr. Folorunsho Coker, Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, also was on the entourage of the Minister.

The National Theatre, an iconic centre for performing arts,聽 was established to preserve, present and promote arts and culture in Nigeria.

The construction of the monument was completed in 1976 in preparation for the Festival of Arts and Culture hosted in 1977.

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