Emmanuel Adeniran, Ado Ekiti.
Scholars from across the World would converge on the premises of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) to pass across useful information via their research works and assist in the area of Policy formulations on Counter Terrorism in the Global Community and how to Wage War against Insurgency more effectively.
The Theme titled: “Theatre, Counter Terrorism and the Nigerian Space”, the event is the 31st International Annual Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) which is expected to hold from October 30th to November 3rd.
“Some World renowned scholars in the Humanities, particularly the performing Art’s, who included those like Professors Femi Osofisan, Bode Sowande, Bakare Ojo-Rasaki, Matthew Umukoro as well as seasoned lecturers would present academic research papers that create workable paths towards ensuring effective and efficient counter terrorism measures in Nigeria during the upcoming workshop”.
Speaking more on the purpose of the event, Professor Bakare, the Dean, Post Graduate School, for FUOYE said: “theatre as you know, is an Art and every Art form is used as a message carrier. Every Art form is used as a means of disseminating information, this is where theatre comes in on Counter Terrorism. It can be used to send information that are relevant to make sure that situations that build up Terrorism does not come up in the first instance”.
“Theatre can be used to build vigilance on how to make sure that the environment is secured. It can also be used in the area of behavioural and attitudinal change”.
“Theatre is used to also de-radicalize the minds of potential terrorists or terrorists that have been captured or disarmed so that they can be used as change agents in the society. The different papers that are going to be presented by scholars will be bearing intellectual and technical information that operators of counter insurgency can use to help their work on counter terrorism. Apart from the papers to be presented, even the fact that people are gathering in Ekiti to discuss counter terrorism will build awareness for counter terrorism activities.”
Bakare, the former Director of the Abuja carnival, spoke during a press briefing to herald the SONTA event at the post graduate room of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, (TMA) FUOYE.
He said there will also be Award presentation in recognition of the sterling contribution of some outstanding Nigerians, including Alhaji Dayo Thomas, Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board, (NFVCB), Juju Maestro King Sunny Ade, ICT entrepreneur Tope Agbeyo, CEO, Comfield Nigeria Limited, and wife of the Governor of Ekiti State who is also the Chairperson for the opening ceremony of the event, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi will feature in the event.
The Head of the Department of TMA in FUOYE, Bifatife Adeseye, (PhD) is the Chief Host of the visiting scholars, was flanked by members of the staff of the Department including the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), SONTA, 2018, Laide Nasir (PhD), General Secretary of SONTA, Desen Jonathan Mbachaga (PhD) as well as Lilian Bakare (PhD), Sola Balogun, (PhD), Oyinye Aneke, and Mr. Isaac Gondo among others.
Assuring that adequate preparations have been put in place to ensure a smooth, secured and fulfilling outing, Adeseye said: “we are proud to be the first out of the 12 New federal Universities to host the 31st annual SONTA conference. We are expecting over 30 scholars of TMA including International figures in the field to come and discuss the theme of the Conference in order to chart the way forward in the joint effort towards formulating germane policies on counter terrorism in the Nigeria space.
The National bodies have been here two times to evaluate our facilities and they have been impressed.
“We have solid preparation in place for scholars coming including hospitality, security and other logistics. We sought support from the University Authority which has promised us. We are discussing the theme on terrorism so that the society would know that we are concerned about the security challenges in the Nation. This is purely an academic event but it will honour our colleagues in the industry such as Nollywood, regulatory agencies among others.
“Our Post Graduate students and candidates will be presenting papers and interact with renowned scholars. Economically, the flocks of people coming will patronize local marketers and hospitality businesses will improve considerably. Terrorism in all facets of life will be discussed and this will make the conference more stimulating”, he said.
