SENATE PASSES MOTION ON PROPOSED SALE OF NATIONAL ART THEATRE AND THE TAFAWA BALEWA SQUARE(TBS) LAGOS BY FEDERAL GOVT

The Senate today passed a motion to stop the planned sale of TBS and National Art Theatre Lagos. Presenting the motion, Senator Fatima Raji-Rasaki noted that the media is awashed with news of this proposed sale.

Senate was concerned that TBS represents the historical landmark on which Nigeria got instruments of Nationhood at a ceremony on the 1^st of October 1960, hence it was surprising to see a serious Govt planning to sell of such important relics of the culture and history of their people.

The Senate noted that no where in the world did any nation dispose off the symbols of its nationhood and attainment.

Senator Shehu Sanni wrapped the debate by saying that selling Govt assets like National Art Theatre will be like selling our soul as a people.

The Senate therefore resolved to:

i.                    Call on FG as a matter of urgency to stop the planned sale of TBS and National Theatre Lagos.

ii.                  Senate mandated the Committee on Culture and Tourism to articulate the list of all the edifice classified as national monument and bring back to the floor in 4weeks

iii.                Direct the Fed Ministry of Information and Culture to immediately develop TBS and National theatre into viable tourist attractions for the country.