On Saturday, 23rd of January, 2016 at about 6:00 am, the General Manager of the National Theatre of Nigeria Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua invaded the National Council for Arts and Culture Artiste’ Village which houses Arts Studios, Workshops, Dance studios and some service contractors with a caterpillar from CCECC and two truckloads of Armed Policemen.
The padlock and chain used to lock the gate were broken and Kabiru entered the premises with his Demolition Squad. The noise generated by the forceful entry attracted the attention of the Residents who watched as Kabiru and his team which included ‘thespians’ such as Steph Ogundele and Biodun Abe, ordered the demolition of Arts and Dance Studios, Galleries and restaurants servicing the community. Some of the demolished structures belonged to the NCAC whilst others built by Artists had approval of the NCAC.
The NCAC is one of the parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the NCAC Artists Village is one of her flagship projects. The NCAC policy that established the Artists Village has turned out to be one of the best policies to have come out of the Public Sector in Nigeria because it clearly demonstrates trickledown of Government Spending in the Arts. This is critical because Research Grants, Travel Grants and Support for New Work and Productions from Government have all but dried up.
The Resident Arts practitioners who represent some of the best in practice in the Nigerian Culture scene had no prior notice of the exercise and our landlord, the NCAC was not informed. Kabiru carried out his vindictive demolition without allowing the Artistes and Business owners the opportunity to salvage artworks and belongings and as a result caused extensive damage to property and valuables.
One of the Artists Mr. Smart Ovwie a sculptor who arrived the scene later and saw the destruction of his properties lamented to Kabiru asking what he did to be oppressed this way, in response, the policemen harassed him and fired shots which sent bullets that got Mr. Ovwie in the leg. It was truly tragic to see Government officials who have statutory responsibility to promote and develop the Arts and Culture brutalizing Artists and destroying Government property with impunity. It was indeed a clear manifestation of the misrule that Nigerians have been subjected to in recent years.
Later that day, the Honorable Minister for Information and Culture came to address and reassure the Resident Artists of the NCAC Artists Village. He promised that the injured would get support for their treatment in hospital and that those who are legitimate residents would be duly compensated for damage done to their structures. The Honourable Minister confirmed that he asked Kabiru to demolish shanties at the back of the Artists’ Village along the canal that have been a route for miscreants and not Arts Studios and structures in the NCAC Artists’ Village.
We wish to use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister for demonstrating a remarkably responsive leadership and for his assurances. We feel a lot better after the trauma of the experience and we have him to thank for that. We are taking active steps to de-escalate tensions in the environment in our belief that due and just process will take its cause.
It is important to inform at this point that Kabiru hid behind the orders of the Honourable Minister to settle old scores with a Community of Artists that stood staunchly against the plans of the last Administration to privatize or concession off the Management of the National Theatre of Nigeria.
Our Prayers
1. That the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture makes good on his promise regarding injuries to affected Residents and damages to property.
2. That temporary accommodation be provided for artists whose structures have been demolished pending compensation and rebuilding of such structures. The offices of the National Film Corporation (NFC) and the Centre for Black Arts and Africa Civilization (CBAAC) at the National Theatre are vacant. We implore the Honourable Minister to use his good offices to relocate the displaced Artists and their materials and works to these offices.
3. That the Honourable Minister takes active steps to stop Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua from further preventing the National Council for Arts and Culture from carrying out her statutory obligations to Artists and the Arts Community.
4. That the Honourable Minister should as a matter of urgency, remove Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua from office as he has become an embarrassment to the current Administration. The Nigerian Culture Sector is already in deep crisis as a result of a lack of leadership and direction from the Public Sector. Kabiru must be prevented from further demonstrating vestiges of misrule which characterized the last Administration.
Thank you.
Updates
January 30, 2016
The momentum behind this petition highlights the widespread concern regarding the recent events at the Artists Village. This collective response confirms that the destruction of these creative spaces is viewed as an unacceptable action by those who value our cultural heritage. I appreciate the dedication shown by everyone who has joined this effort to seek accountability.
29 Comments
There are more suitable candidates who love the arts and have plans to improve it in Nigeria, than this man. He is not helping the theatre and art in Nigeria.
Here are people with little or no knowledge about the function of the arts being foisted on us. How can he understand the needs of the artists. He does not know nor appreciate the art. Also, he ought to know that there are procedure for eviction. You don't evict people mob-style. This is not a responsible behaviour, he must be sacked to serve as deterrent for people with the same mindset.
Kabiru is a thug, an uncultured man prone to violence. Theater is of refined sensibilities - an ennobling art for men and women of strong ethics and high respect for humanity. Caber is severely short on these qualities!
I witnessed this Artless,lawless and heartless action of Kabiru Yaradua and I petition his removal from the office. We need a leader not a despot,a custodian of arts and not its destroyer. And his dog too,the DPO of Oyingbo that turns guns to pebbles pelting innocent people with bullets. Holy Cross! these people and the real #SHANTIES to be clear-off among us and the arts. They should go and rule their homes first with guns and terrorism Thanks in anticipation for their removal offices. Logically yours, À w ò k o
What happened at the Artists Village is an act of terror and crime against humanity. The Artists Village must be restored back to its original state and the affected artists must be appropriately compensated. Above all, justice must be served in favour of the artists and the perpetrators of such shameful acts should be brought to book.
A bombastic element, killer of the art! Needs to be sacked before he buries the Arts in the canal.
Our politicians must be made accountable if this nation is to move forward.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
On Saturday, 23rd of January, 2016 at about 6:00 am, the General Manager of the National Theatre of Nigeria Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua invaded the National Council for Arts and Culture Artiste’ Village which houses Arts Studios, Workshops, Dance studios and some service contractors with a caterpillar from CCECC and two truckloads of Armed Policemen.
The padlock and chain used to lock the gate were broken and Kabiru entered the premises with his Demolition Squad. The noise generated by the forceful entry attracted the attention of the Residents who watched as Kabiru and his team which included ‘thespians’ such as Steph Ogundele and Biodun Abe, ordered the demolition of Arts and Dance Studios, Galleries and restaurants servicing the community. Some of the demolished structures belonged to the NCAC whilst others built by Artists had approval of the NCAC.
The NCAC is one of the parastatals in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the NCAC Artists Village is one of her flagship projects. The NCAC policy that established the Artists Village has turned out to be one of the best policies to have come out of the Public Sector in Nigeria because it clearly demonstrates trickledown of Government Spending in the Arts. This is critical because Research Grants, Travel Grants and Support for New Work and Productions from Government have all but dried up.
The Resident Arts practitioners who represent some of the best in practice in the Nigerian Culture scene had no prior notice of the exercise and our landlord, the NCAC was not informed. Kabiru carried out his vindictive demolition without allowing the Artistes and Business owners the opportunity to salvage artworks and belongings and as a result caused extensive damage to property and valuables.
One of the Artists Mr. Smart Ovwie a sculptor who arrived the scene later and saw the destruction of his properties lamented to Kabiru asking what he did to be oppressed this way, in response, the policemen harassed him and fired shots which sent bullets that got Mr. Ovwie in the leg. It was truly tragic to see Government officials who have statutory responsibility to promote and develop the Arts and Culture brutalizing Artists and destroying Government property with impunity. It was indeed a clear manifestation of the misrule that Nigerians have been subjected to in recent years.
Later that day, the Honorable Minister for Information and Culture came to address and reassure the Resident Artists of the NCAC Artists Village. He promised that the injured would get support for their treatment in hospital and that those who are legitimate residents would be duly compensated for damage done to their structures. The Honourable Minister confirmed that he asked Kabiru to demolish shanties at the back of the Artists’ Village along the canal that have been a route for miscreants and not Arts Studios and structures in the NCAC Artists’ Village.
We wish to use this opportunity to thank the Honourable Minister for demonstrating a remarkably responsive leadership and for his assurances. We feel a lot better after the trauma of the experience and we have him to thank for that. We are taking active steps to de-escalate tensions in the environment in our belief that due and just process will take its cause.
It is important to inform at this point that Kabiru hid behind the orders of the Honourable Minister to settle old scores with a Community of Artists that stood staunchly against the plans of the last Administration to privatize or concession off the Management of the National Theatre of Nigeria.
Our Prayers
1. That the Honourable Minister of Information and Culture makes good on his promise regarding injuries to affected Residents and damages to property.
2. That temporary accommodation be provided for artists whose structures have been demolished pending compensation and rebuilding of such structures. The offices of the National Film Corporation (NFC) and the Centre for Black Arts and Africa Civilization (CBAAC) at the National Theatre are vacant. We implore the Honourable Minister to use his good offices to relocate the displaced Artists and their materials and works to these offices.
3. That the Honourable Minister takes active steps to stop Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua from further preventing the National Council for Arts and Culture from carrying out her statutory obligations to Artists and the Arts Community.
4. That the Honourable Minister should as a matter of urgency, remove Kabiru Yusuf Yar Adua from office as he has become an embarrassment to the current Administration. The Nigerian Culture Sector is already in deep crisis as a result of a lack of leadership and direction from the Public Sector. Kabiru must be prevented from further demonstrating vestiges of misrule which characterized the last Administration.
Thank you.
Updates
January 30, 2016
The momentum behind this petition highlights the widespread concern regarding the recent events at the Artists Village. This collective response confirms that the destruction of these creative spaces is viewed as an unacceptable action by those who value our cultural heritage. I appreciate the dedication shown by everyone who has joined this effort to seek accountability.
29 Comments
I once had a run-in with this fellow. He has blocked all access to the national theatre, even when there is biting traffic as a result of congestion caused by petrol tankers.
There are more suitable candidates who love the arts and have plans to improve it in Nigeria, than this man. He is not helping the theatre and art in Nigeria.
Here are people with little or no knowledge about the function of the arts being foisted on us. How can he understand the needs of the artists. He does not know nor appreciate the art. Also, he ought to know that there are procedure for eviction. You don't evict people mob-style. This is not a responsible behaviour, he must be sacked to serve as deterrent for people with the same mindset.
Kabiru is a thug, an uncultured man prone to violence. Theater is of refined sensibilities - an ennobling art for men and women of strong ethics and high respect for humanity. Caber is severely short on these qualities!
I witnessed this Artless,lawless and heartless action of Kabiru Yaradua and I petition his removal from the office. We need a leader not a despot,a custodian of arts and not its destroyer. And his dog too,the DPO of Oyingbo that turns guns to pebbles pelting innocent people with bullets. Holy Cross! these people and the real #SHANTIES to be clear-off among us and the arts. They should go and rule their homes first with guns and terrorism Thanks in anticipation for their removal offices. Logically yours, À w ò k o
What happened at the Artists Village is an act of terror and crime against humanity. The Artists Village must be restored back to its original state and the affected artists must be appropriately compensated. Above all, justice must be served in favour of the artists and the perpetrators of such shameful acts should be brought to book.
A bombastic element, killer of the art! Needs to be sacked before he buries the Arts in the canal.
Our politicians must be made accountable if this nation is to move forward.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I once had a run-in with this fellow. He has blocked all access to the national theatre, even when there is biting traffic as a result of congestion caused by petrol tankers.