Kunle Adelabu
In an attempt to reverse the poor students’ performance in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), group, under the aegis of Theatre For Education Project, has taken the lead in ensuring students take the necessary leap forward.
To achieve this, Ugo Obiayo, Esq, TEE-EF-EE Project Coordinator, said that students, especially those studying Arts, would have the opportunity to watch line drama of recommended dramas for them to have better understanding of the arts.
Aside the educative aspect of the TEE – EF – EE project, the exercise would also serves as a continuation of the celebration of Professor Wole Soyinka at 90.
To this end, the group will be staging a performance of “The Lion and The Jewel”, by Prof. Wole Soyinka at Golden Kharis, Akasolori, Ikorodu. Performances are scheduled to run from Monday 4th to Friday 8th November, 2024.
“Only recently, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said that seventy percent (70%) of students who wrote the University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) this year scored below fifty percent (50%)! In other words, only thirty percent (30%) scored above 200. Thirty percent passed.
“This woeful result calls for all hands to be on deck to re-invigorate our students in the pursuit of academic excellence. It is not a task for governments alone. It is not a task for the schools alone. Everyone who has a stake in the future of our nation must lend a hand.
“It is against this background that a team of creatives have come together to deploy their talents in helping students to better understand the various Literature-in-English texts in the syllabus, under the Theatre For Education project, a.k.a TEE-EF-EE.
“The TEE-EF-EE project will enable students to experience consummate theatre performances of these plays. They will equally have the opportunity to interact with the stellar actors and actresses who will bring the characters to life. We believe this accentuates the aphorism that plays are meant to be seen and not merely read.
“Additionally, there will be Career Talks for the students, to be delivered by specially chosen professionals and counselors to help channel the dynamic minds and energies of our present day youths”, the Project Coordinator said.
While stating that the project is designed to have a better understanding of Soyinka’s work, Obiayo also unveiled cast for the drama who are veterans in theatre.
“The maiden text of the TEE-EF-EE Project plays is, ‘The Lion and The Jewel’ by Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate who only months ago clocked 90 years with worldwide celebrations. The choice of the play is informed by the necessity to join in owning our own WS, the literary icon of our time.
“Performances of “The Lion and The Jewel” are scheduled to run from Monday 4th — Friday 8th November, 2024, at Golden Kharis, Akasolori, Ikorodu.
“The stellar cast of actors to achieve part of TEE-EF-EE essential goals include: Edmond Enaibe (Teacher Chike, Friday Bello), a veteran with over 44 years active professional practice will play Baroka; veteran Bukky Ogunnote as Sadiku; Victor Oyebode (aka Boy Alinco) as Lakunle; screen diva Sola Kosoko as Favourite and Oluwadamilola Abisola Edward (aka Agbeke Eko) as Sidi. Babs Ademoye brings his many years of splendid interpretation of theatre concepts into this timeless drama as Director”, he said.
While stating that the venue was chosen for its conduciveness, TEE-EF-EE coordinator also charged that the educational development of youths must be a collective efforts.
“We have chosen this venue not just for the conducive atmosphere it provides, but also for the safety and security it offer for intellectual activities.
“The consortium of creatives backing the purpose driven TEE-EF-EE project include; PROMOCOM, TEEConsult, JIIMBAY, DEITRIX, IRAWO OSERE, NAPPS, NANTAP, GONDP, TAMPAN and GOLDEN KHARIS.
“Finally, the task to shoot up the educational performances of our next generation is a collective responsibility. Like the saying, the taste of the pudding is in the eating; drama is better seen than read”, he said.
