By Eva Irewole
For the hard-working Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Censors Board, Dr Shuaibu Husseini, Q1 of 2025 was as interesting as it was rewarding.
In February, he was at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles, USA. After that, he led the delegation of the Federal Government of Nigeria that consulted with NETFLIX to resolve certain issues affecting some business decisions taken recently by the streaming giant. Then he was at the Pan African Festival of Film and Television (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to fly the flag of Nigerian cinema.
And then the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) conferred on him the esteemed Fellow of Theatre Profession. NANTAP said the award of Fellow of Theatre Arts (FTA) was awarded to the theatre practitioner, film journalist, culture advocate, and administrator in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of theatre practice in Nigeria.
The award ceremony took place on Sunday, February 22, at the Glover Hall, Lagos, and was attended by distinguished personalities in the Nigerian culture, theatre, and film industries, including the General Manager of the National Theatre, Tola Akerele; culture activist and programme chairman of Coalition for Relevant Arts (CORA), Jahman Anikulapo; Chairman of the Body of Fellows of NANTAP, Prof Duro Oni; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTAP and Chairman of the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS), Mr Mahmood Ali-Balogun; veteran actor Norbert Young; and veteran actress Joke Silva Jacobs, who was also honoured at the event.
“The reward for hard work is more work. I commit to advancing theatre and film arts in Nigeria.”
NANTAP had noted in the citation read before the NFVCB ED was decorated that Dr Shuaibu has made significant strides in promoting Nigerian dance, theatre, and film, both locally and internationally. NANTAP also acknowledged that Dr Shuaibu’s recent appointment as ED/CEO of NFVCB has been instrumental in shaping the country’s film industry.
The NFVCB boss thanked NANTAP for the prestigious honour and recognition, which he described as not just a personal recognition but also a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of every individual who has contributed to the growth and development of theatre practice in Nigeria. ‘’I am grateful, honoured, and proud to be part of a community that has consistently pushed the boundaries of creativity, innovation, and excellence. Since the reward for hard work is more work, I commit to continue working tirelessly to promote and advance the cause of theatre and film arts in Nigeria,’’ the ED said.
The Fellow of Theatre Profession award is the highest honour bestowed by NANTAP, recognising individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment to the advancement of theatre arts in Nigeria.
Those who were inducted into the Body of Fellows of NANTAP alongside the NFVCB ED include Joke Silva Jacobs, Sam Uche-Anyamele, and Bolanle Austen-Peters.
