Over 16,000 jobs are expected to be created during and after the ongoing renovation of the National Theatre at Iganmu, Lagos, Sunday Ododo, the general manager of the 44-year-old complex, said on Thursday.
Ododo said most of the jobs would come from the fields of music, movies, fashion and information technology.
“Some of the jobs will be direct; others will be indirect. The National Theatre will be a hub for lots of activities,” said Ododo.
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the renovation of the complex.
Under the MOU, the CBN, through the Bankers Committee, is investing N21.894 billion to renovate the National Theatre, refurbish it and run it profitably.
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The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the signing of the MOU, said that revamping the complex would unlock a mass of creative talents of thousands of Nigerian youths in various fields.
Information minister, Lai Mohammed, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government, had also said that the private-public-partnership arrangement would stimulate growth in various sectors of the economy.
Ododo, while assessing the progress of the project, said that work had begun with the contractors fully mobilised to site.
According to him, the theatre offers a huge prospect for many youths to secure jobs at all stages of the renovation.
“The jobs will come directly and indirectly through the ongoing radical restoration, revamping and renovation of the edifice. When completed, the complex, which is 44 years old, will be a huge business centre.
“It will be the place to be. Food sellers and other petty businesses will not be left out. Those coming for events will be served.
“Administration after administration has ensured the edifice stands. And I must salute our predecessors; I give them kudos. If not for their dedication and efforts, National Theatre would have collapsed long ago.
“It is capital intensive to maintain; so you can now imagine if a huge sum of N21. 8 billion is being invested to restore the complex. If, for instance, we had maintenance support of a billion naira or even half a billion annually, we will not get to this point where so much is required to fix the edifice.
“That is why we are glad to inform Nigerians that with the new arrangement, there’s a component that says that once the work is finished, a company will be engaged to maintain the facility every day for the next five years.
“If its work is good, it will be re-engaged; if otherwise, another company will be brought on board.
