Students of the Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration (PGDCA) of NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre, 2015/15 session on Monday, 16th May, 2016, staged Barclays Ayakoroma’s play, A Chance to Survive at the Staff Assembly Ground, NICO Head Office, Abuja-FCT.

The playwright, Barclays Ayakoroma, who is the Executive Secretary/CEO, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), is also a Visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK).

The satiric drama lampoons a community king, HRH Kurokaki who, with his chiefs, corruptly sells community lands to enrich themselves. Their greatest undoing is when all the community fish ponds are sold off making it impossible for fishing activities to take place.

This and other acts of maladministration are challenged by the youth, led by Oloye, whose father had been supposedly killed by the king for challenging his authority.

Angered by this new opposition to his authority, and the ugly incidence of his daughter falling in love with Oloye, the king plans to eliminate him (Oloye), like his father; but he meets his waterloo. The only chance for the king to survive lies in the hands of his arch enemy, Oloye.

The superlative performance of the students in the 55 minutes excerpt of the hilarious play, which was directed by Mrs. Jane Anigala, an Assistant Director in the Department of Admin & Human Resources of the Institute, thrilled the audience.

Commenting on the play production, the playwright, Barclays Ayakoroma, commended the efforts of the students in putting his thoughts into reality, but advised them to work on their lines for a better performance next time.

Also speaking, the course lecturer, Dr. Philip Umaru, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), commended the efforts of the students and hoped for a better performance from students during the next academic session.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Michael Bush, who is also the class governor, appreciated Management and Staff of NICO Training School, Abuja Study Centre, for providing the platform and the enabling environment for students to learn other cultures and also showcase their talents.

Other Management staffers at the occasion, including the Acting Director, Admin & Human Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Hussaini; Acting Director, Research & Documentation, Mr. Michael Ekoko; Deputy Director/SA to ES, Mr. Law Ezeh; Head of Finance & Accounts, Mr. Alfred Ogbe Herbert, also gave various remarks.

Philemon Udeh

NICO Training School

Abuja Study Centre