By our Reporter
The National Theatre workers have protested the need to return to its original status quo since the conclusion of its renovations.
The protest, which took place within the premises of the Theatre was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Labour Congress, all the agencies and parastatals in the Federal Ministries of Art, Culture, Art Economy and Tourism as well as Information including the News Agency of Nigeria, APCON, Voice of Nigeria and all the stations of Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria within Lagos.
The protest was to notify the Federal Government of the need to restore the position of the Theatre, by allowing workers to return to their offices since the renovations have been concluded many months ago.
Speaking on behalf of all affiliate unions which included Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Service Technical and Recreation Employees (ACPCTRE), Bisi Idowu Oladipupo, who stood in for the NLC, said, “Our struggle to return the workers of National Theatre back to their various offices and take them off under trees, started in October 2024.
“On that day the Union paid a visit to this edifice and to the General Manager to intimate them of the need to return to status quo”.
Oladipupo made it clear that those who did not want to return the edifice to its original position are happy to see workers hanging and loitering about each time they report for duty.
He noted that up till the present moment, the management of the Theatre has refused to heed advice that will make workers have a sense of duty when they report for work.
Oladipupo, who frowned at this kind of treatment, noted that the NLC and other affiliate Unions had discussed the relocation of workers and other issues with the management but the result is still negative.
It is for this reason and more that the NLC leadership and other Unions have chosen to organise this protest, to give the theatre management more time to do the needful, failing which there will be a total shutdown of the Theatre.
Since the Theatre was established to promote, present and preserve Nigeria’s numerous cultural properties, it is time to allow workers have unhindered access to their offices since renovations are over.
