The National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has bestowed its Fellowship of Theatre Arts (FTA) on Olarotimi Ojo and other theatre veterans.
The fellowships, recently awarded in Lagos, celebrated the recipients’ exceptional and enduring dedication to the growth and development of theatre practice in Nigeria.
The other theatre practitioners honoured with the fellowship included Joke Silva, Tjudeen Adepetu, Bolanle Austen-Peters, and Shuaibu Hussein.
Ojo, Director of Bodija International Media Academy, CEO of Folk Heritage Limited, and founder of the High School Prize for Literature (HSPL), expressed gratitude for the honour, highlighting the fellowship’s significance in conferring recognition, prestige, credibility, and influence.
He emphasised the invaluable access to networking, leadership, and mentorship opportunities the fellowship will expose him to while validating his expertise within the Nigerian theatre arts community.
He stated that his selection, alongside other theatre veterans, stemmed from their distinguished careers, marked by notable service to NANTAP and the nation.
“This fellowship provides increased access, enhanced visibility, and strategic positioning, enabling personal and professional growth while emphasising the responsibility to utilise this authority for the betterment of the theatre community,” he said.
Ojo further underscored NANTAP’s pivotal role in shaping the Nigerian theatre industry, citing its contributions to government policy, advocacy for practitioners, promotion of professional development, preservation of cultural heritage, and fostering a strong sense of community.
At the award ceremony, NANTAP president, Israel Eboh, emphasised the importance of recognising exemplary contributions, adding, “Honouring those who are deserving of honour in the profession is a sure way to encourage others to also give their best.”
NANTAP, the umbrella body for theatre and allied arts practitioners in Nigeria, designates its highest honour, Fellow of Theatre Art (FTA), to members of its Body of Fellows (BoF), comprising practitioners who have reached the pinnacle of their careers in theatre practice and/or administration.
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