MOCPED, Epe Undergraduate Rubs Shoulders With Students From Top Universities, Sets To Win International Playwriting Competition

Globally, the year 2020 will no doubt be an unforgettable year for humanity in recent history. This is because , the outbreak of COVID-19 has plunged the world into shocking socioeconomic crises. For example, the United Kingdom falling into recession as GDP tumbles 20.4% some days ago, is one of the negative effects. Even though some sectors of the economy are reopening gradually, the measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus has forced educational institutions at all level and other areas of the economy to shut down.

While It is believed in medical circles that COVID-19 will be with us for a long while, it is safe to say that recovery efforts from the devastating effects of the pandemic will be herculean in the task. The normal, virtual learning, provide an excellent alternative to conventional schooling, its effectiveness can be said to be limited owing to inadequate provision of facilities such as the Internet, data subscription, smartphones and power supply.

While the battle against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic has taken centre stage all over Nigeria, an academic association in the world’s most populous black nation, found it worthy of organizing a playwriting competition for Tertiary Institution students. The competition was held to test the creative, aesthetic, artistic, and prolific writing prowess of Tertiary Institution students both in Nigeria and overseas. It is worthy to note that the competition was strategically put in place without flouting physical distancing rules via electronic mail. Participants were made to send in entries through PDF formats for proper assessment.

According to the press release sighted, the MacArthur Foundation sponsored maiden edition of the competition tagged the “AROJAH Students Playwriting Prize (TAPP 2020)”, which attracted 57 entries from 19 Nigerian tertiary institutions and one foreign institution, University of Toronto.

Consequently, the good news is that the leading Tertiary Educational Institution in Epe, MOCPED, made the shortlist of 12 Tertiary Institutions as the only NCE awarding institution amidst top Universities like Univerity of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Alex Ekweme University, Bayero University, Kano, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU), the University of Toronto amongst others.

Miss Joko Precious, a 300 level Cultural and Creative Arts Student in the School of Arts and Social Sciences, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija, Epe, Lagos State, made the top 12 list. The list was, however, meticulously assessed by the jury comprising of the Head of Theatre and Performing Arts, Bayero University, Kano; Ola Ifatimehin, Ph.D.; Award-winning playwright, literacy critic and legal practitioner, Isaac Attah Ogezi and Korea Based Playwright, scholar and communication expert, Okeke Izuchukwu Job.

However, it was stated that a shortlist of five (5) students would be released on August 15, 2020, and three writers would be announced in October 2020 at a special award ceremony, which will be held in Abuja. Also, a weekly play reading session will be organized for the shortlisted Playwrights to provide them with the needed exposure.

On a telephone interview with Miss Joko Precious, she expressed her overwhelming excitement at the news of being shortlisted. She briefly disclosed how she went about writing the play and also advised youths of her kind who are interested in playwriting always to try their best.

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“I am short of words; when I started, it was tough for me because I had limited time. I was confused because I didn’t know where to start from. We were given several themes and guidelines. The themes were technical when I first saw them. I had to reach out to my highly respected predecessors from the CCA department like Kaka Babatunde, Ibrahim Olajide and Okunlola Michael and also my Drama Lecturer, Comrade Jamal Caleb Apena (MOCPED COEASU Chairman), for advice and proper guidance. I must say that writing has to come from within, as in from the heart, not just the head. If you have a dream, don’t be scared to give it a try,”, she said.

The Head of Department, Cultural and Creative Arts, MOCPED, Chief Bayo Okunlola, while responding to the development, expressed his heartfelt joy. He noted the versatility and talents inherent in Miss Joko Precious in stage drama and her acting prowess. He urged the youths generally, to emulate her exploits rather than engaging in negative and unprofitable adventures.

“I am glad, happy, and I’m proud of her. She is hardworking and I am not surprised. I encourage other students to attain the heights that we can be proud of. The course handler has seen that she has prospects, and it has started manifesting”.

“The society itself is bad, and that is what is affecting our young generation. They have imbibed this culture of praising money without even thinking of the source, and so, an average youth wants to belong. Instead of them to be studying, they will be looking for money. Meanwhile, they have to study first and become somebody and be known in a field; the money will come naturally. I use this medium to appeal to our youths to sit up, look for a field and develop amazing skills. They should not engage in any dubious means to get money. Having a legitimate source of livelihood should be the target of every youth,”, he added.

Also reacting to the news via phone call, the Lecturer-in-Charge of Drama in the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts, MOCPED, Comrade Jamal Apena expressed excitement towards the news. He said that he was not surprised as the lady in question has, through the years, shown flashes of her creativity not only in writing but also in dance and acting on stage. He further expressed delight at the impact of the news on the CCA Department, School of Arts and Social Sciences, and the College community at large.

“Precious is a rare breed. I’ve seen it in her. She has this kind of purgation of feeling that she has always wanted to purge. She wants to express her feelings, not only through stage drama, but she is also into dance, like to enjoy much writing. When she told me she was interested in the competition, I encouraged her and gave her every support. I put her through whenever we discuss, and she is so passionate about it. She has her idiosyncratic creativity, and in as much as she was able to channel that energy towards productivity, that is what we are witnessing. I congratulate her on behalf of the association, class and the department”.

“This development from my own view implies that it is good news and a very rare one because the playwriting contest is not just national but international. We have some foreign university students that participated. Apart from that, when you look at the list, the best 12, she is the only NCE student. Though we don’t know whether she is going to be among the first five or first three, we need to encourage her and students like her. Therefore, it is a plus to the CCA Department, the School of Arts and Social Sciences, then the College community”, he said.

While all hopes are high for the reopening of educational institutions nationwide, it is also hoped that Miss Joko Precious makes the list of the top three.

By Kaka Babatunde