Theatre-for-Development as Information Panacea for Rural Dwellers in Nigeria during a Pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19

Authors

  • Charles Okwuowulu Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State
  • Osakue Omoera Stevenson Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State
  • Casmir Onyemuchara Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State
  • Ameh Dennis Akoh Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State
  • Charles Emokpae Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State
  • Christopher Akpa Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State
  • Michael Chinda Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v7n2.p567-592

Keywords:

COVID-19, Media space, Epic theatre, Indigenous communities

Abstract

The subject of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Nigeria emerged with various misrepresentations and conspiracy theories, such as the notion of COVID-19 as a forerunner of the Anti-Christ or the commencement of a 'New World Order' occasioned by the 5G network. COVID-19 information in Nigeria was managed by the Presidential Task Force through daily media briefings. This paper examined the PTF's information dissemination structure and its impact on four indigenous communities in south-eastern Nigeria: Ikwo in Ebonyi State, Iva-Valley Forestry Hill Camp 1 in Enugu State, Umualumu Old Road in Imo State, and Ogbagu Obukpa in Enugu State. TfD was used during lockdown to inform indigenous communities and promote necessary health precautions. The project used TfD and Brecht's Epic Theatre Theory in 4 Nigerian communities to show how TfD can complement other media in informing rural residents about COVID-19. TfD mobilized indigenous communities in southeastern Nigeria to understand Igbo and take COVID-19 precautions despite PTF's robust information dissemination structure. TfD could have helped the PTF share vital COVID-19 info with rural communities in Nigeria. The Nigerian government should establish a robust infrastructure for raising awareness and combating COVID-19 and other pandemics in rural areas through TfD

Author Biographies

Osakue Omoera Stevenson, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State

Osakue Omoera is a proffesor at the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Federal University Otuoke,  Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Casmir Onyemuchara, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Casmir Onyemuchara lectures at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Ameh Dennis Akoh, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Ameh Dennis Akoh is a Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Humanities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Charles Emokpae, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Charles is a lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Humanities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

Christopher Akpa, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Christopher Akpa is a lecturer at the Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Humanities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Michael Chinda, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi State

Chinda Micheal is a film technologist in the Department of Theatre Arts, Faculty of Humanities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

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Published

2023-10-29

How to Cite

Okwuowulu, C., Stevenson, O. O., Onyemuchara, C. ., Akoh, A. D., Emokpae, C. ., Akpa, C., & Chinda, M. . (2023). Theatre-for-Development as Information Panacea for Rural Dwellers in Nigeria during a Pandemic: Lessons from COVID-19. The Journal of Society and Media, 7(2), 567–592. https://doi.org/10.26740/jsm.v7n2.p567-592
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