We’ll restore National Theatre’s lost glory under my watch —Oyedepo

Ahead of her resumption at the National Theatre, Lagos this week, playwright and culture administrator, Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Oyedepo, who was appointed General Manager of the complex on Tuesday, speaks on her mission and goals for the 42-year-old edifice.

HISTORY was made on Tuesday, when the Federal Government appointed playwright and astute culture administrator, Dr. (Mrs) Stella Oyedepo, as the first female General Manager of the National Theatre, Lagos.

Though having spent almost all her entire career in the arts sector, the decision to make her the new GM of the nation’s foremost culture complex, which had been headed in the past by culture luminaries, including Jimmy Atte, Professor Femi Osofisan, and Professor Ahmed Yerima, still came as a surprise to Oyedepo.

“I wasn’t expecting it. It came as a very pleasant surprise and I attribute it to God, giving me another opportunity to serve, to do what I know how to do best,” she disclosed in an interview.

“I’ve always enjoyed life in the theatre; I was Executive Director/Artistic Director of the Kwara State Arts Council for 17 years. So it’s just like water to fish. It [appointment] came very suddenly and I wasn’t expecting it.”

Though pleased with the opportunity to serve on a national scale after excelling in Kwara, the GM resuming at her new post this week is aware the task before her is a onerous one that will require the best of her ability. And being no shrinking violet, she’s ready to give it her best.

She said: “Every assignment has its challenges. When I come on the stream; I’ve not actually arrived on stream, we will put heads together and see what we can do to turn the place around. With cooperation from different quarters, determination, hard work and God on our side, we will record commendable achievements. I will also say that with God, all things are possible. I’m not being religious but everybody draws his strength from somebody and I do draw my strength from God. So, with God and determination, we shall succeed. The mountains will be levelled. We will work hard to resolve all issues and conflicts. They are human issues, not supernatural or superhuman issues so we will evolve means of tackling them effectively.”

Informed that she’s the first female GM of the National Arts Theatre, the author of some 30 published plays said: “It doesn’t matter whether male or female, it’s the delivery that matters.”

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And she is totally committed to delivering for all players in the culture sector, as well as the generality of Nigerians, assuring that there will be improvements in the fortunes of the Theatre.

“There will be improvement, positive growth because we will look at things holistically to ascertain what’s hampering progress and proffer solutions. We will resolve all grievances and operate in a very peaceful, loving atmosphere so that we all can pull in the same direction and grow the theatre.”

Oyedepo also assured that she would do all her best to return the lost glory of the National Theatre and reposition it as the venue of choice for arts/cultural events in Lagos. She said: “The lost glory must be brought back. It was really a glorious place in those days; where we showcased FESTAC ’77. It was a glorious place and the lost glory must be brought back.  We will look at infrastructure, programming and other things that will help us restore the lost glory. It’s the cultural showpiece of this nation, so nothing will be allowed to tarnish its glory.

“We will start work and aim for the sky.  I have actually not been to the National Theatre in a while so I don’t know the extent of the work awaiting me but I am not a stranger to hard work. When I took over at the Kwara Arts Council, everything was in tatters but I did my best and with God’s assistance, left it on a solid footing. We will collaborate with all stakeholders because many people are committed to that place regaining its lost glory.”

Asked if she had been in touch with some of her predecessors, including Professors Osofisan and Yerima to get pointers, Oyedepo said: “Not yet but I will do that. I intend to do that but I’ve not done it yet. They are both my friends and I am positive they will give me support.”

The new GM was measured when asked about government’s plans to concession the National Theatre amidst opposition from players in the culture sector. “When we get there, we will be able to see the pros and cons. I can’t hold onto any opinion now until I see what is on the ground and we can then make appropriate recommendation to the government,” she said.

Asked if her new national assignment would not affect her writing, Dr. Oyedepo replied matter-of-factly:  “Nothing has ever impeded my writing. I have never been impeded by anything to do my writing. So there can’t be any impediment to that. I will carry out my task diligently and it will not in any way impede my writing.”