The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP has called on the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo to take a look at the appointment of Comrade Tar Ukoh as the Artistic Director, National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria.
According to theatre practitioners, his appointment is not in line with the regulations guiding the two institutions.
Before now, the theatre and the troupe had separate heads. While Ahmed Yerima was the artistic director of the National Troupe, Mallam Kabir Yusuf was the General Manager of the National Theatre.
Though a merger of the two agencies was almost made possible by the Federal Government, they remained separate entities. The appointment of Tar Ukoh has however brought an intense rift to the system.
NANTAP noted in a letter addressed to the Acting President that the National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria were two distinct institutions regulated by Decree 47 of 1991, titled the National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria Board Act. Therefore its law instituted no office of Artistic Director National Theatre and National Troupe.
The letter dated 24th JULY, 2017 and signed by the Interim President of NANTAP, Israel Eboh read:
RE: Appointment of Comrade Tar Ukoh as Artistic Director, National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria
We wish to refer to the above appointment which was recently announced by government but is clearly wrong as it is not in tune with the legal statute establishing the institutions of National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria. It is a situation where two organisations are now mistakenly placed under one Chief Executive Officer.
It is significant to note that these are two distinct institutions regulated by Decree 47 of 1991 titled, The National Theatre and National Troupe of Nigeria Board Act (Attachment A). It is evidently stated in that law that the two bodies are separate with their different objectives and CEO’s heading the two Exclusive institutions, namely: General Manager, National Theatre, and Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria.
The facts remain incontestable that Decree (No. 47 of 1991) is still subsisting as the enabling Law for the existence and functioning of the two parastatals, and the board supervising them.
By the above, therefore, it is obvious that the appointment of Mr. Tar Ukoh is illegal, null and void as the position of Artistic Director of National Theatre and National Troupe does not exist in Nigeria’s legal lexicon.
Your Excellency Sir, while we align ourselves with the vision of this government to make the creative and entertainment industry stronger and more economically viable, we strongly believe that laying the foundation through the Rule of Law is the way to go.