By Wole Balogun
SA Media to VC
Students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), recently fulfilled one of the core duties of the public institution which is community service by sensitizing residents of the host community, Oye-Ekiti on the dangers of drug abuse, poor parenting and continuous stigmatization of HIV/AIDS patients
Facilitated by Associate Professor Taofiq Olaide Nasir. the sensitization was carried out with the use of a very effective medium of communication, drama. The students, who are of the 200 Level in the Department of Theatre and Media Arts of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) of the university, staged two instructive, educative and entertaining playlets. The first, whose thematic preoccupation was based on drug abuse focused on the regret a busy couple had to experience for neglecting their parental duties on their son, Kola. Kola becomes lonely and succumbs to peer pressure and becomes a part of an Indian hemp smoking gang. He misbehaves with his girlfriend who tries to dissuade him from indulging in drug and other substance abuse by physically assaulting her and killedher in the process. He was thereafter arrested and charged with murder, leaving his parents to regret his poor upbringing largely due to their fault.
The second playlet borders on a young man diagnosed of having HIVAIDS. Having realized this, his parentsand friends started stigmatizing him by keeping him at arm’s length and not sharing anything with him for fear of contracting the disease. Eventually, he was abandoned at the hospital. However, the doctor sensitizes them on the danger of stigmatizing the patient. He stressed that the patient could still live long if given proper medications and care. He adds thatwhat the patients need most is love, care and affection rather than being isolated and abandoned by relatives or friends as doing so would cut short their life.
Residents of the town who played audience to the drama presentations expressed their gratitude for getting such refreshing messages about how to take care of their health, care for HIV/AIDS victims and pay more needful attention to their children as parents.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, Mrs. Oyekanmi Temitayo,said: “We find the plays so educating, especially the play on HIV. It sent a significant message to the indigenes as it had enlightened the people against HIV patient’s stigmatism. The other play on drug abuse was a message to parents in particular. It was a lesson for parents to realize the importance of training a child, knowing of his or her whereabouts, school affairs and even their choice if friends.”
Pretty Mrs. Adams Olubunmi who is a matron at the hospital also appreciated the performances, saying the audience were well enlightened. Her words:” The play was indeed enlightening. I appreciate the professionalism of the performers who were able to pass information specifically to the parents and indigenes in extension. Particularly, they preached against drug addiction and encouraged the parents to train the child collaboratively and not be prompt to abandon their duty to only one out of them. Parenting is the responsibility of both parties. The parents should not also neglect the academic life of their children, they should make time to check on them to make sure they are doing well. She concludes that if unfortunately, the child ceases to be morally cultured, the parents should not play blame games but jointly put the child back on the right track.”
Speaking on behalf of the students and what they gained from endeavour, Jonathan Okpara was full of praises to Dr. Nasir for taking them through the exercise. He said: “ l am a student of Theatre and Media Arts, Federal University Oye Ekiti. I’m a 200 level on daily Part -time programme, and I was opportuned to partake in this exercise which is basically an avenue for the students to use drama to educate a society on a specific problem with the aim of ensuring development in the community under the leadership of Dr. Nasir.
“My group and I, decided to enlighten the community on the dangers of stigmatization to HIV/AID patients and dangers of drug abuse. These topics were selected due to the frequent occurence in the community. We chose the General Hospital located in Oye Ekiti as the topic pertains medical and emotional issue. The performance was indeed an adventurous one and even while performing, we were learning also learning. This feat demonstrates the possibility teamwork can produces. As the group leader of my group, I salute my fellow Thespians who showed diligences and competence.”
Dr. Nasir who facilitated the exercise spoke on the benefits of the performances for both the students and the community. He said: “this is just one of the ways the university gives back to the community”. According to him, “theatre remains a veritable tool to enter-educate the immediate environment of the university and the masses at large. It can be used to develop and enter-educate both rural and urban residents on various topical issues”.
While appreciating the university management under the leadership of Professor Sunday Abayomi Fasina for providing amiable learning environment despite all odds, he equally gave kudos to the students who worked tirelessly and relentlessly with him for about three weeks, rehearsing everyday in order to achieve this feat.
