Dance professionals and scholars in Nigeria have challenged the government to be more responsive to the needs of dancers as part of strategies to lessen burdens from various sectors.
The Association of Dance Professionals and Scholars, rising from its annual conference held at the Lagos State University, said the government looked away from dancers even as they were affected by the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and the festering challenge of insecurity.
Lamenting that Covid-19 and insecurity in the country have adversely affected dance profession and its practice in Nigeria, the association said the twin problems however are opportunities for new vistas for more creativity.
In the communiqué jointly signed by Dr. Akpughe, O. Praise Onyemuchara, Casmir
Dr. Akinsipe, Felix A. Dr. Emoruwa and Felix Damilola, the association said more avenues for the practice should be developed.
“It is regrettable to note that till date, there has not been a concerted effort from the governments at all levels or corporate individuals towards addressing or ameliorating the trauma dancers go through in the course of these two identified challenges.
“It is recommended that government should put measures in place to address problems associated with the trauma dancers go through as a result of Covid-19,” the communiqué stated.
It added that both the pandemic and insecurity have come to be a new reality that Nigerians must live with, it added there is urgent need to harness and document the various processes of survival strategies adopted by the various tertiary institutions of learning towards coping with and surviving the situations.
The association also disclosed that it agreed to collaborate with Lagos and Akwa-Ibom State Governments in the promotion and propagation of traditional dance forms strategic to the cultural development and tourism in order to expand the economic base in the two states.