Uniuyo Theatre Arts Presents ‘Dance Of The Ghosts’, Haunting Commentary On Nigeria’s Social Ills

Uniuyo Theatre Arts presents ‘dance of the ghosts’, haunting commentary on Nigeria’s social ills. The University of Uyo’s (UNIUYO) Theatre Arts Department, recently, presented a thrilling performance of Ben Binebai’s “Dance of the Ghosts,” directed by Sunday Umanah-Tusi.

This impressive performance was a practical component of the Year One course, THA 113 – Practical Orientation Production.

In the thought-provoking play “Dance of the Ghosts,” Ben Binebai crafts a powerful political allegory that reflects the Nigerian state’s struggles with leadership, mistrust, and the pursuit of power. Set in the fictional Ebiogbo Kingdom, the play exposes the harsh realities of a society where many live in fear, poverty, and frustration.

Through the lens of Ebiogbo Kingdom, Binebai shines a light on the disconnect between the people and their leaders, as well as the mistrust and backstabbing that often characterize the pursuit of power.

The play advocates for collective action and protest against irresponsible and autocratic leadership, promoting a message of social change and conflict resolution.

Overall, “Dance of the Ghosts” was a captivating production that left the audience spellbound. With its talented cast, creative team, and eerie atmosphere, this play is a must-see for anyone interested in the supernatural and the unknown.

The production was a masterclass in collaborative storytelling, with a talented team of creatives bringing the world of ghosts to life.

The set design, crafted by Umanah-Tusi, Edikan Samuel, Emmanuel Alexander, and others, transported the audience to a realm beyond the living. Dora Nnanake and Emmah Edet’s costumes added a touch of eeriness to the proceedings, while Katty Otioro and Sylvia’s makeup designs made the ghosts look eerily real.

Uniuyo Theatre Arts

The lighting, designed by Uwem Nesfield, cast an otherworldly glow over the stage, immersing the audience in the world of the ghosts.

The choreography, crafted by Jackyafricana Abasiodiongo Ekomabasi, Precious Ammang, and Queendalyne Effiong, added a dynamic energy to the performance.

The stage management team, led by Blossom, Jeffrey, and Sarah, ensured a seamless transition between scenes, keeping the pace of the play steady.

The playwright, Ben Binebai is a renowned Professor of Drama, Dramatic Theory, and Criticism at the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Amasoma. A prolific writer, Binebai has penned numerous works that showcase his expertise in drama and theatre arts. His play “Dance of the Ghosts” is a testament to his ability to craft thought-provoking stories that reflect the complexities of Nigerian society.

Education minister Tunji Alausa Decries Proliferation Of Versities, Seeks Improvement Of Existing Ones

Education minister Tunji Alausa decries proliferation of Versities, seeks improvement of existing ones. Mr Alausa said that there was no need to put pressure on the president to establish new universities

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has hinged the current proliferation of universities on the increasing pressure being mounted by lawmakers.

Mr Alausa spoke at the third edition of the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

The federal government is facing mounting pressure to reform the country’s education sector.

With almost 200 bills pending in the National Assembly for the creation of universities, there is a growing concern that the system is becoming overwhelmed.

Mr Alausa explained that renewing the capacities of existing institutions was more important than establishing new ones.

According to him, there is no need to put pressure on the president to establish new universities.

He said, “We must focus on our capacities. We need to stop this from happening. There’s so much pressure on the president. We have to at least be sensitive to it as well.

“They (lawmakers) are passing a lot of bills. Today I can tell you that there are almost 200 bills in the National Assembly. We can’t continue this. Even though we have a lot of them, the capacity for a university to admit is not there. What we need to do now is to rebuild the capacities so that we can offer more viable courses to our citizens.’’

He added that the enrolment rate was not commensurate with the recent number of universities.

“If you look at the entire enrolment together, the one per cent of private universities account for just 7.5 per cent of total undergraduate enrolment. The total number of undergraduate enrolments today is just about 875,000, which is at least fairly low.

We have universities with less than 1,000 undergraduate students, and there’s this intense demand for more universities to be opened. We have to stop that,” he said.

He added that several key proposals had been put forward to address the challenges facing Nigeria’s education sector.

Speaking on specialised universities, the minister appealed to the institutions to focus on their mandate.

According to him, there is a need to reduce the number of non-technical courses offered in specialised universities and instead make them available in conventional universities.

He also pledged the commitment of the federal government to reducing the number of out-of-school children and creating opportunities for them in tertiary institutions.

On speculation of scrapping the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), Mr Alausa said the Education Tax Fund would continue indefinitely.

Education minister Tunji Alausa

“What we now need to do is to begin to open up more resources to develop infrastructure, build engineering workshops and build laboratories in these universities.

We also must recruit international standard teachers so that we can begin to get these universities to deliver high-quality education that will be known throughout the country.

“When it comes to the education tax, I think a tax fund is going to be advanced now because I’ve heard some information in the new tax bill about tax funds being subsidised by the year 2030,” he said.

NAWOJ: Women Journalists Advocate Continuous Learning For GrowthS

NAWOJ: Women journalists advocate continuous learning for growthS. Ms Kadiri said that the foundation aimed to prevent workplace medical emergencies caused by high BP.

Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos Chapter, Adeola Ekine, has said that continuous learning drives growth in journalism.

Ms Ekine stated this in Lagos on Thursday during the commemoration of International Women’s Day.

The IWD 2025 theme is ‘Accelerate Action’, while NAWOJ’s symposium topic was titled ‘Young Women in Journalism: Mentorship, Growth and Breaking the Glass Ceiling.’

According to Ms Ekine, young women must embrace opportunities for self-improvement through training programmes, digital media literacy, investigative journalism, and ethical reporting.

She emphasised that as the media landscape evolves, journalists must stay ahead, ensuring their voices and narratives remain relevant, credible, and impactful.

Ms Ekine added that breaking the glass ceiling requires audacity, resilience, and collective effort.

She urged women to pursue leadership positions, join editorial boards, and take decision-making roles in media organisations.

Director of News at Lagos Television, Abimbola Bello, questioned what actions women should accelerate under the IWD 2025’s theme.

Ms Bello stated that women must accelerate action in various areas and across different initiatives.

She noted that the symposium encouraged women journalists to assess their roles, goals, and priorities.

She said this was a time for women to reflect not only on their jobs but also on nation-building and issues affecting women.

Consultant at J.K.A. Aggey Foundation, Oluseyi Kadiri, said the foundation supports women, girls, and the less privileged.

Ms Kadiri stated that the foundation partnered with NAWOJ to provide medical services for symposium participants.

She said, “We are checking blood pressure (BP) and sugar levels because health is crucial. Women in journalism should know their BP and sugar levels to avoid being overworked without realising the risks.’’

NAWOJ

Ms Kadiri explained that the foundation aimed to prevent workplace medical emergencies caused by high BP.

She encouraged women journalists to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the media industry.

She advised women to check their BP at least twice a month.

Health Education Officer at Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA), Ikeja LGA, Rashidat Sanni-Afolabi, urged women journalists to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
Ms Sanni-Afolabi said educating women on HIV/AIDS during pregnancy could help prevent mother-to-child transmission.

She noted that while people often dislike taking medication, proper sensitisation and education could improve adherence.

She called on women journalists to prioritise HIV/AIDS stories and increase awareness levels.