The 2021, Nigerian Universities Thearter Art Festival, NUTAF, has come and gone, leaving with it cherished memories that will linger in the minds of participating Universities for a long time. Records were broken, new ones were created and new grounds covered.
Gregory University Uturu, set some records, by being the first private University to host the 40 year old event. First to host and win the NUTASA (Nigerian Universities Thearter Art Students Association). And the first to produce Female National President of the association.
It was no long news that NUTAF, would have been held in 2020, but for the rampaging coronavirus which led to its postponement to 2021.However, despite the current challenges facing the country, many universities still find the courage to attend. To the Vice Chancellor of the host, Gregory University Uturu, Professor Augustine Uwakwe, “we appreciate the sacrifices you all made to be here, especially at this period and time the country is facing some serious challenges. We appreciate you all. It was because of this love for you that made our Chancellor, Professor IK Ibe, to flew in from United States of America to be with you. It may interest you to know that our institution spares nothing to ensure that the College of Thearter Arts and Media Studies lack nothing. Just tell us what you want and it’s done”, he concluded.
NUTAF, Board of Trustees Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, thanked the Chancellor for making true his promise to build an amphitheater before the event. He stressed that by his action he has proved that there are still some responsible and trusted Nigerians. “Chancellor sir, your action has shown that their are people that can still be trusted in Nigeria. Sir, you are a role model to youths world over”.
Professor Dandaura, announced that, Professor Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, has promised that Gregory University would be ready to host NUTAF at anytime they could not get a hosting University. “Professor Ibe has promised to sustain NUTAF for the next ten years by donating redeemable trophies”.
For the first time in the history of NUTAF, trophies were procured for eight competitive events and money was attached to them.” First position goes home with one hundred thousand naira, second, fifty thousand and third place smiles home with twenty-five thousand naira. Winners of individual competitions will be rewarded with ten thousand naira each. Also, Professor Ibe, out of his benevolence, provided, forty thousand naira to each of the universities present, to caution their transport challenges “. He announced.
Apart from the beautiful performances by the different universities, the students were taken to an excursion to the “EARLY MAN’S ABODE”, where NNEM CHUKWU, described as one of the few people God preserved for procreation when the world was destroyed by flood.
To further make the festival memorable, the Chancellor, Professor Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe, organized a get together for all the contingents. The occasion also allowed so many students who could not showcase their talents inside the auditorium to express themselves. “We will be willing to host NUTAF again and again. The brand new amphitheater here has not been fully utilized, we have built it, you should know better how to put it to good use. As you depart, I wish you all safe trip”.
