NANTAP commends NLNG for launching The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts
* Also commends President Tinubu for clemency granted Gen. Vatsa, Saro-Wiwa
By Editor
THE National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) has commended NLNG on the unveiling of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, a visionary addition to The Nigeria Prizes family, with its focus on Documentary Filmmaking.
A statement signed, President of NANTAP, Mr. Adeniran Makinde, said this laudable initiative, which seeks to empower young Nigerian storytellers aged 18–35 with a USD$20,000 award, aligns deeply with NANTAP’s mission of nurtuinge creativity, promoting cultural identity, and strengthening the creative economy through performance, film, and storytelling.
By spotlighting documentary filmmaking, NLNG has not only expanded the frontiers of creative recognition in Nigeria but has also created a powerful platform for young voices to explore truth, interrogate experience, and shape Nigeria’s image with authenticity and purpose.
According to Mr. Makinde, “As Nigeria’s foremost association of theatre and creative arts practitioners, NANTAP celebrates NLNG’s continued commitment to advancing excellence in the arts. We look forward to future collaborations that will further enrich the ecosystem—through mentorship, capacity development, and artistic engagement—towards building a generation of storytellers who can truly ‘own our narrative.’
“We congratulate the NLNG management, the Advisory Board chaired by Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, and the visionary minds behind this remarkable expansion of The Nigeria Prizes. Together, let us continue to tell Nigeria’s story with honesty, creativity, and pride.”
Inaugural jury head of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts in Documentary Filmmaking, Dr. Sam Dede of the University of Port Harcourt
In a related development, NANTAP also commended President Tinubu for the clemency granted to prominent two writers and cultural workers, General Mamman Vatsa and Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were murdered for trumped up charges of treason. While Gen. Vatsa was executed on account of a phantom coup, Saro-Wiwa was judicially murdered for environmental justice for his Ogoni people.
NANTAP said the historic act of clemency granted to the late General Vatsa and the renowned writer and environmentalist, Saro-Wiwa, alongside others have their memories deeply rooted in Nigeria’s democratic and cultural history.
This gesture, coming decades after their unjust executions, represents a significant step in our nation’s journey towards truth, healing, and reconciliation. It is a powerful reminder that the arts, literature, and voices of conscience—such as those of Vatsa and Saro-Wiwa—remain eternal, inspiring generations long after their physical silencing.
As the umbrella body of Nigerian theatre practitioners, NANTAP recognizes the profound symbolism of this decision. General Vatsa, himself a poet and patron of the arts (allocated the Association of Nigerian Writers -ANA- vast plots of land in Abuja that today houses the Writers Village in Abuja), and Ken Saro-Wiwa, an internationally celebrated writer and activist, embody the enduring spirit of artistic courage and creative resistance. Their lives and works continue to speak to Nigeria and the world about justice, freedom, and the transformative power of the arts.
By granting this clemency, President Tinubu has also restored dignity to two towering cultural figures whose sacrifices will forever shape our collective identity. This singular act underscores the vital role of memory in nation-building and opens a new chapter for dialogue, unity, and reconciliation.
NANTAP calls on all Nigerians to embrace this moment as an opportunity to strengthen our shared values of justice, democracy, and cultural pride. We remain committed to preserving the legacies of our national heroes through theatre, literature, and performance, and ensuring that their stories continue to inspire a brighter future for Nigeria.
