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How I will reposition National Troupe–Director

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The Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Ahmed Mohammed, says he will reposition the troupe through sustained engagement of artistes and private public partnership.

Mohammed, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the troupe, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Abuja.

“Over time, the number of artistes in the troupe has been dwindling.

“Basically, we don’t have the dancers. When we look at the troupe,  we are looking at musicians,  dancers and we are looking at people who are able to act.

“This is because we also do stage drama showcasing some life changing experiences in Nigeria.

“We look our own peculiarities and who will be able to project certain cultures in a very good light.

” We don’t have that kind of team.  I think for the past two, three years, we  have not had that kind of team.

” Now that I’m here, I’m trying to look at how I will reposition the troupe.

“Part of what we are to do is that we  are going to do auditioning. That auditioning could be at the zonal levels within the country.

“From there,  we will get the best out of the best.

“This will give us the kind of artistes and pattern we want and we will ensure that they have required resources and tools to work with like  costumes, ” Mohammed said.

According to him, the troupe is also focusing on those already engaged in theatre such as members of art councils in states.

“We will fish out talents from those groups. We will camp and train them.  And then we move around to perform in places where we are requested to go and perform.

“We also seek partnerships with the private sector and government agencies because they always have engagements and want us to perform there.

“We also have children’s programme. One of our objectives is to ensure that we seek for talents among children and build their capacity in theatre so that we can catch them young.

“In other words, we are talking about culture and the need to really groom our children to understand the way we live.

“We used to organise competitions and winning schools were given some prizes.

“I know that after some years,  we were not able to do that due to paucity of funds and because some of our staff that are responsible for that kind of engagements have left the service.

“Most of them are civil servants and they are not replaced. This  is part of what I’m trying to do to ensure that we have the right people at the right place to be able to do the right things  for us,” he said.

The director, however, stressed the need to have vehicles that would convey members of the troupe for engagements across the country.

“We don’t even have a vehicle that can convey artistes conveniently from one point to the next.

“When I went to the headquarters, I discovered that most of the vehicles are grounded.

” The other vehicles we have were  bought over 15 years ago. So, they are almost getting obsolete.

“There is need to have vehicles on the ground to ensure that we are able to move within this country comfortably. These are parts of our challenges.

“Again, you know the National Theatre is being renovated now.  So, the National Troupe does not have an office of its own,  we are under the National Theatre.

“We are now residing within the Artistes’  Camp which is also not in good shape,” Mohammed said. (NAN)

 

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General News

Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else

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Anglican Church logo

At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.

Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.

Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.

In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.

The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.

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1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.

The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”

Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.

Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.

“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”

The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.

Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.

With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.

 

 

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Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift

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…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”

The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.

In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.

The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).

The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).

“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.

 

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