The senate has asked the federal
government to stop its plan to sell off the National Arts Theatre and Tafawa
Balewa Square (TBS).
The upper legislative chamber
also mandated its committee on culture and tourism to identify all edifices
that should be declared national monuments.
The resolutions of the senate
followed a motion sponsored by Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, senator representing Ekiti
central.
Raji-Rasaki said the structures
occupy a historical landmark which serves as a symbol of the country’s
nationhood.
“The media is awash about the
sale of assets belonging to federal government, including the National Theatre
and the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, to raise more funds to finance the 2018
budget,” the senator said.
“Tafawa Balewa Square represents
the landmark on which Nigeria got the instrument of nationhood at a ceremony on
the morning 1st of October, 1960 when the Union Jack was lowered down and the
green-white-green national flag was raised and hoisted.
“The National Theatre
specifically built to host the 2nd Black African Art Festival named the
Festival of Art and Culture (FESTAC) in January/February 1977, where all black
people across the globe gathered to celebrate the uniqueness of the black race.
“The final symbol of transfer of
power from colonial rule to independence took place at the Tafawa Balawa Square
Lagos.”
She said instead of selling off
these assets, the government should develop the square into an attractive
profit-making tourist centre.
The senate adopted the motion
after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Bukola Saraki.
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