CONTACT ADDRESS:
Kogi State Arts and Culture,
P O.Box 182, Lokoja,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
e- mail : [email protected].
Mobile: +2348035980973,
+2348032887116.
Tel: +234 - 058 220 198
KOGI STATE ARTS AND CULTURE.
Kogi State Council for Arts & Culture was formally established by an edict number 5 of 3rd Jan, 1995.
Precisely, the Arts and Culture came into being on August 27, 1991 the Year the State was born. The Birth of the Arts Council was without Government signet or an edict backing it up as a Government establishment until the above date.
At inception, the Arts Council was headed by a secretary, Mr. Amos Tutu a non cultural man. For many reasons raging from apathy on the part of Government coupled with lack of facilities, the Arts Council became inactive. During this period the professional arms of the Arts Council remained dormant i.e.Performing Arts department (Cultural Troupe), Fine and
Applied Art Department, Research and Documentation Department. During this period the troupe was established twice and scraped for in activities and lack of dynamism. By Sept. 1992, Dr. John ILLAH (now a Professor) was employed from the Ivory Tower
( Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria) to Head the Arts and Culture as the Executive Director.
This vibrant don (Prof. ILLAH) went on a road tour to invite two experts to assist him in carrying out this State assignment. Mr. Adavi Abraham of the National Troupe of Nigeria and Dr. Enesi Ododo of the Performing Arts Department University of Ilorin Nigeria were hired to conduct screening, interview and selection of potential Artistes for the Kogi State Arts and Culture Performing Troupe.
After this recruitment exercise came the need for proper training.
Again Dr. ILLAH on behalf of Kogi State Government went into job negotiation with two famous Nigerian Artistes Mr. Adavi Abraham of National Troupe of Nigeria and a choreographer Dr. Ojo Bakare of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Instantly these two experts went on both day and night training of these “green horn Artistes”.
April 2nd 1993, these expert took the 58 Troupers on a one week camping and training at the Theater Arts/Admin hall of the Ajaokuta steel company where these vibrant and dynamic artistes got their “Holy Ghost Fire Baptism” of professionalism. Shortly after clocking one year as a Performing company, the Troupe won a Gold medal from the National Festival of Arts and Culture NAFEST CALABAR 1994. This was barely two months for which the C.E.O was promoted as a Director General and Mr. Jonathan Okpanachi was appointed the new chief executive.
Mr. Adavi Abraham became the Pioneer Head of the Performing (Cultural) Troupe. Late Mr. Silas Asehinde headed the Research and Documentation, Mrs. (Hajiya) R.O Mamman a textile and Industrial Design Graduate of ABU; Zaria became the head of Fine and Applied Art
Department. On attainment of a Degree and Higher Grade Level, Mr. Bonibayede Rapheal took over the mantle of Leadership of the same Department from Hajiya R.O Mamman.
Mallam Ilyasu Kokumo Abubakar assumed Leadership of the Administrative Department while Late Mr. Ibrahim Okedi headed the Commercial Section and Mr. Saimon Orishanaye led the Accounts Unit.
Performing Arts Department which is the life wire of the Arts and Culture as headed by Adavi Abraham is being assisted by Mr. (Pastor) Joseph Itodo as the Troupe Manager while Mr. Ismaila Amidu serves as the captain of the Troupe.
The above were the line up of the Officers manning the Arts Councils. It suffices to mention other very senior staffers of the Arts and Culture pioneering team then. Mr. Sunday Owojaye now PhD, Late Mrs. Caro Owolabi, Mr. Patrice Adejoh, Muhammed Ali Oziandu and Idowu Iletogun,
After ten years in the cradle of the Arts and Culture as the CEO, Jonathan Okpnachi was promoted a Permanent Secretary and moved to another Ministry and Mallam Yusuf Audu Evinavoh was appointed in 2004 as the new Chief Executive.
Under Mallam Evinavoh, the Arts Council’s various Professional Departments have attended National and International Cultural Festivals.
Most outstanding of his achievements is the children’s Troupe trip to KIDDAFEST 2004 in Accra, Ghana.
The Arts and Culture without a Theatre Hall is however blessed with a three state of Art 30 Seatter Coaster Buses with full Air-conditioner.
For further enquiry, contact: the perm secretary or Adavi Abraham, HOD Performing Arts
Kogi State Arts and Culture,
P O.Box 182, Lokoja,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
e- mail : [email protected].
Mobile: +2348035980973, +2348032887116.
Tel: +234 - 058 220 198
