Category: Arts & Life

There have been changes in the Culture and Tourism Ministry where three new directors have been appointed to man affairs of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR).  All the appointments have been criticized for one reason or the other.  Edozie Udeze examines these changes and what they mean for the sector

Every eight years when new changes are usually made in the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to relieve out-going directors of their positions, series of controversies and backbiting normally follow such move.  It is as if such changes do not make for the progress of the culture sector.  But be that as it may, culture workers must have one thing or the other to say to either condemn or praise or even carpet the minister’s choice of directors to fill the vacant positions.

This year’s exercise was not different.  Last week, three new directors were appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke, to replace the outing-going ones in three parastatals.  They include the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOURS) and Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). Of the all three appointments, the strangest and most surprising, in the reckoning of close culture observers and stakeholders, is that of NIHOTOUR, where Ms Chika Balogun has been made to hold fort.  Balogun, until her appointment, was a Special Assistant to Duke, a position many feel and still believe is not big enough to warrant such a big appointment.  Part of the argument, however, is that Balogun has no such pedigree to handle the hospitality sector with the kind of strong presence it deserves at this critical era in Nigeria.

Most critics stretched the argument further to say that the last assignment.  Balogun handled for the minister in far away United States of America was a big flop.  The assignment had to do with the cultural extravaganza which held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, USA, last month.  In coordinating that woeful outing Balogun could not display enough dexterity and knowledge expected of a texted technocrat.  “Now, that she is to handle a more virile and potent parastatal that is also the main regulatory agency for Nigerian hotels, what are we to expect?” asked one culture worker who does not want to be named.

Although a master’s degree holder from the University of Kent, Great Britain and a member of many local and international professional bodies, it is yet to be seen where her professional acumen has been so tested and verified.

However, those who know her closely attest that she is a team leader, very proficient in management and mentoring.  “In fact, we can say she is a leadership expert,” Okeke Uzor, an artist who knows her professional antecedents, said.  Part of the resume of  Balogun says that she is a philanthropist, a great traveller, consummate reader and mentor.  “If she can bring all these to bear in her style of management, her professional approach in running the affairs of NIHOTOUR and more, I suppose she will end up a huge success,” Uzor surmised.

As for Mrs. Dayo Keshi who took over the helm at NCAC, criticisms have begun to mount on why she should be made to head that number one parastatal in the ministry.  Keshi, 61, retired from the Federal Civil Service last year after reaching the mandatory age of 60 years.  Until her retirement, she was a director in the Cultural Industry and Heritage, an arm of the Ministry of Culture.  She served in the sector for 31 years.  But the grouse of many people is that Duke should have looked beyond personal sentiments and favour to appoint people with the renewed zeal and capacity to serve and deliver; people who still possess the youthful energy to put things in their proper perspectives.

To have recalled a retired top notch of the ministry to handle such an important segment of the sector, some critics argued, does not speak well of the seriousness and commitment of the ministry.  It is usually better to make people who are more vibrant to come in to help move the ministry beyond the mundane.  Agreeing, Kechi may be a well-tested technocrat with the necessary exposure that is relevant in some ways, one of the critics asked.  “what of the carriage in terms of energy and competence at this stage in her career?  All these should have informed Duke’s decision in reaching out to these people.”

However, a close source revealed that the strong undercurrent in the whole exercise is that Duke needed to have his own people in those positions.  Of course, those who are in one way or the other amenable to him, those who are indeed his closest allies and would be better for him to operate with.  But how does this stop him from looking far afield to get better placed loyalists who stand better chances of improving the lot of the Culture and Tourism sector?  For too long the ministry has tottered between life and death, between progress and retrogression, with a only a few of its parastatals and agencies doing well to lift the sector above water.  Even when the yearly allocation which is nothing to write home about, that comes its way often does not go into the proper channel.  In a way, this is a ministry that is supposed to chart a new way for the reorientation of the people of Nigeria.  So much needs to be done yet the politics of making those positive issues happen often pre-occupies the attention of top players and policy-makers.

Now, appointed to succeed Professor Tunde Babawale at CBAAC is Chief Ferdinand Anikwe.  There is no doubt that Babawale left an imprint that is indelible on the sand of times.  Having been the helmsman at the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Chieftaincy Matters for so long, it is hoped that Anikwe can perform to keep CBAAC on its toes.  But CBAAC, as it is widely known, is basically a research and academic centre where programmes are devised and executed to conform with its statutory ideals.  Now how capable is Anikwe having been coming basically from the background that is bereft of researches and world outreach?

How much can he do to retain and lubricate and maintain the numerous contacts made to get CBAAC go beyond a mere gimmick?  Is he capable of making the world and indeed Africa see CBAAC as a centre meant to project African cultures beyond Nigeria?  There are too many questions.  But the truth of the matter is that until recently CBAAC was a mere glorified outfit.  But then Babawale and his team brought their own personal and collective drive, energy and zeal to make it attain international position.  This is what Anikwe has to continue to do if the politics of trying to keep CBAAC down by the powers that be can allow him and his team perform.

CBAAC is an intellectually-engaging centre, well-removed from the masquerade background where Anikwe was better known.  Anikwe constituted the best masquerade assemblage in Enugu that has won more laurels at the Abuja Carnival than any other states.  This is no mean achievement as far as the issue of culture in Nigeria is concerned.  However, that is a different ball game entirely.  CBAAC needs deep and concerted brainstorming to make it remain relevant, topical and useful.  A team meant to keep CBAAC alive has to be alive itself, giving life to cultural matters that touch on the nerves of the people.

As a pan-African agency, Anikwe should live the life of a Pan-African director, a director not limited to local issues.  CBAAC is for the whole world where the Black Africans are domiciled.  The way and manner the new regime keeps them in the picture is a tall order for Anikwe.  CBAAC should not be made to slide back to what it was before Babawale took over.  If that happens, then it will become the worst thing that has ever happened to African cultural renaissance for which CBAAC has been cut out to do.

Over all, it is hoped that the new changes will usher in meaningful era to give a new phase and face to the culture sector.  Tourism needs to be renewed.  Directors need to live up to the expectations of the people in whatever they do.  This is the time to do so, leaving all petty politicking behind for the sake of the people and the stakeholders.