Lead City University, Ibadan, is set to host eminent Nigerians in the culture and performing arts sector to ensure symbiotic interface between the gown and town.
Dr Anjola Robbin, Associate Professor and the institution’s Head, Department of Performing Arts and Film Studies, disclosed during a news briefing in Ibadan on Friday.
Robbin said that the event, scheduled for May 12, will host such personalities as Alapomu of Apomu in Osun, Oba Kayode Afolabi, Ekiti Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Prof. Rasaki Bakare and Iyalaje Oodua, Toyin Abraham.
Others, according to her, are: a veteran film producer, Tunde Kelani, popular actor, Afis Oyetoro, Demola Ige and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Fayemi on Tourism Development, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, among others.
She said that the initiative was part of the three-day programme being organised by the department, adding that it would be supervised by the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Education, Prof. Donald Odeleye.
“We will host eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the cultural and performing arts sector.
“The three-in-a-row programmes for the three-day activities designed for the event are: Lead ‘n’ Leap, Newscast Fest and Dinner Theatre,” she said.
Robbin said that the ‘Lead ‘n’ Leap’ was a theatre and film workshop, with the intention of having veterans in the industry discuss and relate with students on the prevailing circumstances and opportunities in the sector.
She further stated that the veterans would also impact on the students the requisite knowledge needed to succeed in the entertainment industry.
The don noted that the department had, in the past, featured people like Omowunmi Dada, Ambrose Somide, Jumoke Awe, Woli Arole, Charles Inojie, Funke Olowu, Ibrahim Chatta, Dayo Liadi, Leye Fabusoro and Femi Odugbemi.
She added that ‘Newscast Fest’, a campus-based inter-departmental news casting competition, would feature a major side attraction, tagged ‘Semolympics’, a competitive event sponsored by Flour Mill Nigeria Limited.
This, Robbin added, was aimed at teaching and honing the art of turning Semo, a popular menu among the students.
“These two programmes will be capped by the ‘Dinner Theatre’, scheduled for 4 p.m. on May 12, with a warm ambience of indelible and unforgettable theatre performances,” she said.
Robbin also said that the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kabiru Adeyemo, would, at the dinner theatre, host and honour the Alapomu and the Iyalaje Oodua for their efforts at promoting arts and culture.
Others are: Bakare, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr Ademola Ige and Oyetoro, Ojo-Lanre.
Robbin also listed some of the arts organisations to be honoured to include: National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Theatre Arts and Movie Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), among others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programmes are scheduled for May 10 to May 12 at Adeline Hall of the university. (NAN)
