Wikipedia marketing for National Arts Theatre?

Google seems to have an answer for every question. But its search engine could not supply the website of the National Arts Theatre on Wednesday.

Digital tools have become an essential part of modern tourism, with fun lovers ‘visiting destinations even before they commence their journeys.

But the National Arts Theatre, which was a major Lagos tourist site in its heyday, does not seem to have a ‘home’ on the digital space even though it does not cost much to set up one.

National Arts Theatre, Lagos

This may have compound the moribund state of the national heritage.    

Wikipedia, however, may have been doing what the management has failed to do: announcing the tourist potential of the centre to the global community.

Its history and facilities, even though, some may have fallen apart, are captured by the listing site.

“The National Arts Theatre was built during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo. Its exterior is shaped like a military hat. It has a 5,000-seater main hall with a collapsible stage, and two 700-800 capacity cinema halls. All of these are equipped with facilities for simultaneous translation of eight languages among others.

“It was designed and constructed by Bulgarian construction companies and resembles the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria. Completed in 1968, the National Arts Theatre situated in Lagos is bigger than of Bulgaria,” claimed Wikipedia.

Bulgarian Place of Culture 

The site also narrates some of the recent controversies that trailed the edifice, saying many Nigerian playwrights, led by Prof. Wale Soyinka, protested the proposed privatisation of the asset to a standstill.

On Facebook, several pages attempt to tell the story of the centre in their own ways. One narrative is taking readers through major events hosted by the place, which it described as a “master piece.”

But a site of its own – operated by its management – that should have aggregate diverse views and give the world a clear picture about its status is not available.

In contract, the Place of Culture and Sports in Varna, beams on its website. Visitors can explore the site with four different international languages. Its digital platforms work 24 hours daily attending to clients from different parts of the world.