Coming within the month of June, which commemorates global environmental concerns, Wigwe University makes a debut expression in environmental sustainability literacy. On Wednesday 25^th June and at the College of Arts Collapsible Theatre, an environmental awareness and command performance held in grand style under the auspices of the College of Arts (in collaboration with the College of Management & Social sciences). The 3-part event held between 2pm and 4pm, consisting of a documentary film presentation (“Fumes of death”) by the College of Arts’- Film, Animation & Communication units; a keynote address (“No where to run”) by the Dean College of Management and Social Sciences; and a Monodrama (Ask the Almighty) by College of Arts’- Theatre Arts & Fine Arts units, respectively.The documentary film began by introducing the audience to abiding predicaments of environmental recklessness that come with oil exploration in the Niger-Delta, but that was only was only an opening teaser, as the presentation soon narrowed to the perils of plastic wastes, which are equally as endangering as (if not more than) oil and gas pollution. The audience was convincedly led by the film into accepting that “fumes of death” are released from improper disposal of plastic wastes by the individual users. The excellent use of documentary techniques such as voice-over, reenactment, interviews, vox-pop, footages and motion graphics gave life to the subject matter.

As if that was not enough, the Dean of Management & Social Sciences- Professor Kennedy Modugu, presented a brilliant and succinct keynote address which took the audience through details of the varied ways that humans abuse, exploit, exhaust and degrade the earth. The address established that there is no alternative planet for human habitation outside the earth, and it cautioned against the advancement of human development at the expense of the planet. In Conclusion, the speaker called for institutions to lead by principles, and for individual to be responsible in the collective actions for redeeming the earth.
The scholarly address in sustainability literacy sets the right tone for the monodrama presentation of Tayo Isijola’s Ask the Almighty, which was not only electrifying, but quite educative, didactic and trilling, to say the least. The command performance was also a recapitulation of the Niger-Delta struggles, with environmental pollution at its crosshair. Though it came in an experimental form, where different production styles were infused into one eclectic performance, the message of the lingering environmental degradation and its impact on the habitant of the fictional “aqua region” was lucid and clear.

Featuring 8-student performers that played multiple roles, the performance starred the veteran actor and actor-trainer at Wigwe University (Mr. Charles Victor Coker), who played the lead character. Ask the Almighty held the audience spell bound in every sense- the externalized acting prowess of the lead actor took the audience to another lane, far beyond the Stanislavskian method of acting; the impeccable and harmonic music from the orchestra provided significant performance charms; and the experimental approach of the director, who is also the playwright, gave the theatrical values that enhanced its communication.

The event was a cocktail of well-packaged activities that provided a nexus for environmental sustainability education, which aligns with the mission of Wigwe University. It was a marriage of environmental arts and scholarship, as witnessed by the University management, staff, students, and the special guests of the Vice-Chancellor, including representatives of His Royal Majesty of Isiokpo Kingdom, notable captains of industries and scholars from other universities such as Dr Raphel Onoshakpor (HSE. Divisional Manager, Oando PLC) and Prof Eze Chibuogwu (Director- Institute of Pollution studies, River State University).

At the end, the Coordinator for College of Arts, and host of the event (Dr Tayo Isijola) thanked, profoundly, Professor Marwan Al Akaidi, the Vice-Chancellor- Wigwe University, for endorsing the event, and appreciated all invited guests. It was a first attempt and indeed a good success. One can only wish the College of Arts, Wigwe University, more excellent outings in the nearest future.

Edward Imo Ph.D, fta
Associate Professor of Dramatic Literature & Film Criticism
University of Port Harcourt.