These are interesting and rewarding times for the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Censors Board, Dr. Shuaibu Husseini.
Last month, he was at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles, USA.
After that he led the delegation of the Federal Government of Nigeria that consulted with NETFLIX to resolve certain issues affecting some business decisions taken recently by the streaming giant.
Then he was at the Pan African Festival of Film and Television (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to fly the flag of Nigerian cinema.
And now the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has conferred on him the esteemed Fellow of Theatre Profession. NANTAP says the award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (fta) was awarded to theatre practitioner, film journalist, culture advocate and administrator in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of theatre practice in Nigeria.
The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 22, at the Glover Hall, Lagos, and was attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre and film industries including the General Manager of National Theatre Tola Akerele, Culture activist and programme chairman of Coalition For Relevant Arts (CORA) Jahman Anikulapo, Chairman of the Body of Fellows of NANTAP Prof Duro Oni, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTAP and Chairman of Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Veteran actor Norbert Young and the veteran actress Joke Silva Jacobs who was also honoured at the event.
NANTAP had noted in the citation read before the NFVCB ED was decorated that Dr. Shaibu has made significant strides in promoting Nigerian dance, theatre and film, both locally and internationally.
NANTAP also acknowledged that Dr. Shaibu’s recent appointment as ED/CEO of NFVCB has been instrumental in shaping the country’s film industry.
The NFVCB boss thanked NANTAP for the prestigious honour and recognition which he described as not just a personal recognition, but also a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of every individual who has contributed to the growth and development of theatre practice in Nigeria, ‘’I am grateful, honoured and proud to be part of a community that has consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, innovation and excellence. Since the reward for hard work is more work, I commit to continue working tirelessly to promote and advance the cause of theatre and film arts in Nigeria’’ the ED said.
The Fellow of Theatre Profession award is the highest honor bestowed by NANTAP, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to the advancement of theatre arts in Nigeria.
Those who were inducted into the body of fellows of NANTAP alongside the NFVCB ED include Joke Silva Jacobs, Sam Uche- Anyamele and Bolanle Austen-Peters.
