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Why More Youths Are Taking To Theatre Arts

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Young people of this generation in Nigeria want to be popular and admired as stars and celebrities in their own rights, like those in Hollywood and Nollywood.
It is, therefore not surprising that so many youths are currently pursuing careers in Theatre Arts in universities across the country.
Miss Felicia Felix, second year pioneer Theatre Arts student of Rivers State University said in an interview after a session of dance drama practicals at the university Amphitheartre that apart from her likeness of the course, she is motivated by the celebrity status that comes with known artistes.
She added that, she ventured into Theartre Arts because she wants to be admired and popular like the actress, Omotola Jalade, who she described as her role model.
As a youth, Theatre Arts would help give self confidence, create social awareness and help solve societal problems especially through the performance of dance drama.
Miss Felix, who is a group director in her class added that, people know Theatre Arts with University of Port Harcourt but recently Rivers State University Theatre Arts was all over the internet through bloggers, social media and the rest of them because of the induction of our year one students which was a “show stopper” in town, she said “Theatre Arts in a way is creating awareness to societal problems. We are practising a dance drama on COVID-19 preventive measures. You know COVID-19 is still around the corner. We are creating awareness that people should adhere to the preventive measures such as washing of hands, wearing face masks, using of hand sanitizers and avoiding crowded places. Other groups are working on black soot, drug abuse and food scarcity in the society”.
Mr Godsdoing Chinemerem Okor, second year student and President, Theatre and Film Studies Students Association, Rivers State University, said that young minds like them want to be happy and express their emotions through singing and acting. Also, most of the youths want to be talked about and feel important like David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido) that is why more youths are into theatre studies.
For him, Davido is his role model in the area of singing and Zubby Micheal, a Nollywood actor.
Okor also said that though Rivers State University. Theatre department is new, the students are putting in their best to make their name in the society.
Like, the induction recently was unique, and got the attention of most persons in Nigeria, “We used costumes, hair styles and innovations that our contemporary have not used before which stood us out.
“We had performed for the Rivers State Governor at different occasions, at Obi Wali Centre, we performed with University of Port Harcourt theatre students and ours was outstanding to the extent that the governor asked for a repeat performance. We had also performed at Government House, at Ahoada, for the Governor’s wife’s father’s 80th birthday, also at the Senate building for the Vice Chancellor and several performances at the University Amphitheatre” he said.
Miss Destiny Nwala, also a second year student said that theatre is like a moving trend in our society today because people want to relax their nerves after a day’s work so all the other disciplines like medicine, engineering and so forth still end up to theatre.
She added that “most of our youths are undergoing depression mostly because of family pressure. Many young people have calling in singing and acting and Theatre is the way out, also, most of us want to be trending or be famuos in social media and Theatre is one of the money making areas in Nigeria now.
My role model is Destiny Etico because I like her style of acting, that’s the “rugged” part . Also, Mercy Chinwo, the gospel artiste. I hope to come out with a gospel album like hers in the future.
She added that Theatre Arts in Rivers State University is upcoming with a unique standard. We were privileged to attend the Arts Festival at Abia State University at Uturu, last year, 2021 for the first time. We went as observers because we were not licensed to perform because we had not been inducted due to COVID 19 issues in 2020, but before the end of the festival, we were asked to perform for five to seven minutes and the audience was stunned and impressed at our level of performance. We were asked to host this year’s festival but did not accept because of finance. I see a bright future for RSU Theatre and may be stronger than UNIPORT in all aspect of Theatre if those behind us continue with this momentum”.
Theatre Arts in general helps young people to understand how to appraise situations and think outside the box. This would help them to be more confident when faced with unfamiliar situations.
It is also a creative way of learning, allowing youths to view the world around them in new ways.
Theatre is a collaboration of different players and good for combination of creative ideas and abilities of all participants to come out best in their individual roles. This requires all those taking part to engage in discussions, feedback, rehearsing and finally the performance.
Also, the elements of play, humour and laughter to those taking part improves motivation and reduces stress of the mind. This helps to express emotions and encourage these young ones to understand and deal with similar feelings they may be experiencing.

By: Ibinabo Ogolo

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Children’s Day: The Need To Celebrate Them

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May 27th every year is earmarked by leaders globally to celebrate the younger ones.  They are celebrated because they are precious to us.  We cherish them so much because you ha ve joy when they are around you.
 Children are gifts from God and future leaders and so need to be protected. Protection of children cuts across several endeavours of life.
When you have a new-born and provide him or her the necessary medicare from age 0-5 years, that child is protected from child killer diseases.  That is his/her right.  When that is due for school and he/she is enrolled into school to acquire knowledge and skill, that childs right is protected.  Provision of shelter, clothes,  shoes and other personal effects is the right of every child.
When we invest in children,  it is sure that their future is bright and protected.
We celebrate children by showing them love generally, not just giving them money. There are so many activities we can engage them positively.
On children’s day, parents can take them out for a picnic.  Having fun generally gives them joy.
In Rivers State this year, Children’s Day celebration took place in many local government areas.
Celebrating children this year, the wife of the Governor and First Lady of Rivers State, Lady Valarie Fubara, said: “To every child, never stop believing in your dreams. Stay disciplined, focused, and be guided by good values.
“She said the future belongs to those who are hardworking, respectful and determined to make a difference.”
She urged children to shun negative influences and always choose the path that leads to growth and greatness.
Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Delta State chapter, while celebrating children’s day 2026 made strong advocacy for inclusive education, responsible parenting, digital literacy and equal opportunity for every child.
Eunice  Choko-Kayode
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Need For Girl-Child Education In Society

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Girl-child education is a way by which a girl- child is being exposed through formal education for proper education.
It is a process whereby a girl-child is being exposed to some certain things according to “teachmit@wp”.
Girl-child education refers to the aspect of education that ends at developing the skills and knowledge of girls and women no matter their backgrounds.
Some parents think that educating a girl- child is wasting of their resources. No. When a female child is educated, it gives her that respect even the husband cannot treat her anyhow because he will know her worth.
The importance of educating the girl- child cannot be overemphasised. It helps to empower the country and makes them have a better life. Once they are educated, they realise the importance of exhibiting good hygiene habits.
It may interest you to know that when a girl-child is educated, she has a sense of belonging in the society. In Nigeria nowadays, they have the potential of becoming governors, chairmen of local government areas, among others.
The tendency of taking cognisance of the importance of reduction in child bearing is high. When a woman is educated, the level in which she will give birth will reduce considering the dangers inherent.
Firstly, she will calculate herself and know when to conceive, although with the consent of her husband and the numbers of children she wants.
A girl who is educated will know how to educate her children properly. She will be of good benefits to the family.
Truly, a girl who is not properly educated will suffer lack of knowledge, fall into early marriage which will lead into early pregnancy. Some of these can cause domestic violence.
Women need education because without proper knowledge, a woman cannot run her home properly. A woman that is educated leads her home aright.
Some men use and take advantage of uneducated women by rendering all kinds of abuses on them, some rape their wives in course of making love and others insults their wives in public all because there is no education. In life, males and females should be educated without discrimination.
Furthermore, educating a girl-child is like investing in a big business that one will not run into a loss.
According to Dr Shaifali, girls’ education is like sowing the seed which gives rise to a revitalised, cheerful and full-grown family plants.
She also said educated women have the capacity to bring socio- economic changes.
Growing up from the family of three, my father told me that he was not ready to train a female child and when I asked why, he said: ” because when you will grow and become great, then, a man will come from nowhere and marry you and all my money will be wasted. When you marry, your name will be changed that means all your riches and wealth will become your husband’s own because you people are one”.
Frankly, I was very bitter with myself and I started questioning God that why was I not created as man, but I took it upon myself that weather the devil likes it or not, I will prove my father wrong by going to school and I will show the difference.
As parents when training children we should not think less of any child because every child is important and have value.
Every child is a blessing from God. This is a clarion call to all men of our present society to accord their wives the respect they deserve. A man can develop his wife after marriage.
Education plays an important role in the life of a girl-child. Let every girl-child be educated. The government should provide the society with basic amenities such as good schools that are well-equipped.
Parents from time to time should be re-oriented in this regard taking cognisance of the importance of developing the girl-child. None should be misled by saying that the girl-child need not attend formal education.
Since some parents do not have the wherewithal to sponsor their children, governments at all levels should introduce free education to give room for equal opportunity. Bursary payment should be re-introduced in all higher educational institutions.
Education is the bedrock of any society therefore women education cannot end in the kitchen.

Princess Npapa
Princess Npapa is a student of Pan Africa Institute of Management and Technology.

 

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Celebrating Woman As An Icon Of Strength

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A woman is a dynamic multifaceted individual who embodies resilience, courage and determination.
She is a game changer and a force to be reckon with, a confidant empowered, supportive, adaptable and inspirational.
Many had asked why women are being celebrated even as recorded in calendar so frequently unlike men and I said, a woman being multifaceted and embodies resilience and determination is worth being celebrated unlike in the 80s when women were meant to understand that their place was in the kitchen of their husbands’ houses.
What an amazing level of development where women can choose a career and work on themselves and know that there is more to life than being in the kitchen and ending up in a man’s house with nothing to show for it.
Women are the strongest versions of the gender of humans in the world even in their silence, women hold a depth of emotions, questions and unspoken thoughts. Their smiles often conceal their true feelings, masking their fears, doubts and desires.
Despite these challenges, women continue to rise above, shattering glass ceilings and pushing boundaries.
Today innovative, women are enterprenuers, leaders, and change agents. Inspiring women like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie and many others have paved the way for future generation, their achievements serve as testaments to women’s strength, resilience and capabilities.
The calendar tell us how unique the woman is and her significance in the home and society at large. As a woman, she holds power and I celebrate every woman out there in the world irrespective of how you may have fallen, you shall rise above the challenges, support one another and celebrate collective strength and resilience.
Woman as an icon of strength is not just about individual achievements but creating supportive networks, uplifting others and celebrating collective success, defying expectations and redefining what it means to be a strong woman.
The strength and bravery of women are worthy of celebration by the entire world as none is unique as the epitome of nation builders, character molders and pacesetters not just in their family but to the society at large.
A woman is a selfless mother, lover and care giver to her family, a daughter who supports her parents, as a sister’s unshakeable bond with her siblings and a friends unconditional empathy and understanding.
These acts of kindness and love are not most times talked about but hold families and communities together and bonding strong women are powerful beings who have impacted the society, shaping the foundation of the world from the 80s to date, I personally want to celebrate all the icons of strength who had fought and are still fighting , that our voices as women are heard even unto the ends of time.
I celebrate you all amazing women for standing strong and paving ways for the future generation for equality, justice and human rights. To the rising child, teenager and adults who happen to be a ‘woman’, I celebrate our collective efforts, our strength in helping one another to rise, irrespective of our differences in our backgrounds.
We are super humans, unique beings, no wonder the Bible acknowledges the importance of our strength. Therefore, let’s celebrate every woman out there.

Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha, is a student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.

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