BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Arts and Civics Table Organisation (TACT) is to hold the first ever Nigerian Satire Festival as part of its commitment to promote meaningful and productive conversations between the citizens and government.
The Festival, scheduled to hold on November 16 and 17, 2017 in Abuja, coincides with this year’s United Nation’s International Day of Tolerance.
With the theme: “The Society’s Mirror”, the Festival, according to one of the promoters of TACT, Mr Ose Anenih, would create a veritable platform of promoting and deepening civic engagement and social discourse through the use of satire.
Anenih said; “During the first festival, holding over a period of two days, we aim to highlight serious issues without offending sensibilities.”
He said activities lined up for the two-day event include paper and art presentations by leading Nigerian satirists, Okechukwu Ofili (aka OFFILISPEAKS), Mike Asukwo, Justin Irabor and Dr Damages as well as panel discussions featuring Funke Baruwa, Amara Nwakpa, Cheta Nwanze, Charly Boy, Kunle Lawal (National Publicity Secretary of KOWA Party) and journalist Samuel Ogundipe.
According to him, other highlights of the event “are a stage play, ‘Made in Nigeria’ by Dike Chukwumerije; a dinner and comedic roast that would feature comedians Gordons and Frank D Don, spoken word poet Omoawe and CEF a multi-talented acoustic musician.
Anenih explained that the Roast would be similar to the United States White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with journalists, members of civil society organisations, political office holders, musicians, students, clerics, and selected satirists participating.
He said a satire-themed cartoon and art exhibition would also run throughout the two days of the event.
Co-founded by Yemi Adesanya and Ose Anenih, TACT is a non-partisan not-for-profit dedicated to the promotion of civic engagement between citizens and the government, and the facilitation of alternative means of dialogue within society without rancor and bitterness.
