By Adamu Umar Nda – Lokoja
Vice Chancellor of Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, has challenged Theatre Arts students to monetize their skills and create jobs, declaring “The job is in you” as 86 students concluded a community theatre project using drama to address water scarcity, bad roads, and power failure in Karaworo Community, New Layout, Lokoja.
The 300-level students on Saturday staged participatory playlets before Karaworo residents as part of FUL’s 2026 Community Theatre Project. The performances highlighted how tribalism, division, and lack of cooperation fuel local challenges, while dramatizing specific issues of potable water scarcity leading to cholera outbreaks, road accidents caused by bad roads, and epileptic power supply. The students urged residents to embrace dialogue, unity, and collective responsibility as the foundation for development.
Prof. Ibileye described the program as “cherished and enviable” and said the university-community relationship must impact “all ramifications”. He noted that theatre arts now attracts more applicants than any other humanities course at FUL. The VC applauded the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, Yampa IV, for “fatherly” hospitality, and said the students’ work helps the community “rediscover its essence and identify solutions it can implement without waiting for government”. To sustain the impact, Prof. Ibileye advocated a joint university-community committee to follow up on gaps identified and escalate them to relevant authorities.
The VC told the students their training should translate into livelihoods and jobs for others. “This is something that would give you food, a quality livelihood. It will make you your own employer and, if diligent, employer of several other people,” he said. He specifically urged students in costume design, stage design, playwriting, makeup, and event coordination to commercialize their skills. “Why are you looking for a job? The job is in you. You should be able to use your skill to earn a living and employ people,” Prof. Ibileye said.
Dr. Felix Egwuda, Head of Department of Theatre Arts, said the exercise is a 6-credit course for the 86 participating 300-level students, with marks awarded as part of examinations. He explained the project has two phases: first, to conscientize the community, and second, to return for follow-up and assess actions taken by residents and government. “If government is not doing it, they should do it,” Dr. Egwuda stressed, citing roads and water as issues communities can tackle collectively.
Prof. Awam David Menegbe, Chairman of the Planning Committee, said the team gathered data, analyzed community issues, and produced skits tailored to Karaworo’s challenges. “We have come to sensitize the people about the necessity for self-help, for cooperating, and communal efforts towards communal development,” he said. This year’s outreach follows previous projects in Lokongoma, Ganaja, and Adankolo. Prof. Menegbe described Karaworo residents as the most receptive community he has worked with in over four decades, noting they provided accommodation and financial support, unlike school buildings used elsewhere.
Mr. Emmanuel Sunday Ikpelemoh said FUL’s curriculum integrates community theatre to interrogate socio-political and cultural challenges with residents and co-create solutions through play production. He added that follow-up visits to Adankolo and Ganaja have shown improvements in sanitation, security, and communal engagement. He commended Prof. Ibileye’s support, noting that the VC, a former Head of Department of Theatre Arts, has consistently backed the engagement.
Student Yakubu Paul summarized the message of the playlets: “If they could be united, drop pride, tribalism and religion, come together and discuss, they could help themselves and then go to the right leaders.” The performances also emphasized doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
The Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, expressed honour at hosting FUL, saying the students “narrowed the angles” by identifying problems and preaching harmony. “There is no human being called government. You can’t go to any office and say, ‘I’ve come to arrest government.’ We are the government,” the royal father stated. He urged residents to adopt a more societal and communal outlook, saying, “That thing you want for yourself is what everybody should have.” On government engagement, the royal father commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo for ensuring water supply in Lokoja, paying civil servants, and maintaining relative peace.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to follow-up mechanisms to ensure recommendations are escalated and results tracked in years to come.