BRITISH COUNCIL PARTNERS VIDEO WAVES INTERNATIONAL FOR PEACE IN NIGERIA

The British Council in conjunction with Video Waves Production, in trying to build peace in our various communities is using drama as a vehicular tool for the promotion of a peaceful society.

In Its efforts at actualizing this, Video Waves Production through the British Council conceptualized the idea of using drama; “Gyara Kayanka” a stage play which literally means; “Put Your House Together” as the vehicle to preach and encourage peace in the various communities especially amongst youths.

 

Project Director of “Gyara Kayanka”, Mr. LIVINUS OTEH, a seasoned movie director and CEO of Video Waves International says the choice of Kakuri/Makera community in Kaduna South Local Government was borne out of love for the communal and peaceful coexistence by the various tribes resident in the community.

British Council representatives and Otteh (in brown caftan)

Kakuri/Makera is host to different people and they all reside as one huge family devoid of religious differences and there is a strong need to ensure the sustainability of peaceful coexistence for a greater tomorrow”.

In his welcome address at the event, Livinus Otteh stated that “Gyara Kayanka” is an offshoot of a bigger programme created by the British Council Nigeria with the title; “ACTING TOGETHER”.

According to the prolific movie director, the programme is aimed at encouraging communities and individuals on the importance and need to tolerate one another despite their differences and, shun violence.

Peace, in the words of Otteh, is of paramount importance for every community and nation that aspires to develop and it is unfortunate that youths in the society have become the arrowheads in every crisis, anywhere in the world.

A scene in the drama

To this end, Livinus Otteh disclosed that he chose to work with the youths of Makera constituency in a bid to ascertain the causes of conflicts in these areas.

Tasked by NAIJ NEWS ALERT on the benefits of the drama to the youths, Livinus Otteh revealed that it was aimed at sensitizing the youths on the need to be self-reliant by embracing skill acquisitions and training, shun violence and become useful to themselves and their communities.

At the end of the programme, youths selected from Makera, Kakuri and Kurmi Gwari; all located within the Kaduna South Local Government of Kaduna state, will return back to their respective localities and impart their knowledge, Otteh said.

Speaking at the event, Collins Bangay, the Director of Education and Society, Sub-Saharan Africa of the British Council noted that the idea is interesting and feels confident that the federal and state governments, including policy makers, would key into this as there are five of such projects aimed at promoting enduring and sustainable peace among youths in various communities.

The drama which was done in Hausa, was exciting especially from the gesticulations and my understanding of the play, Bangay said.

Louisa Waddingham, Director British Council, Nigeria in her speech, noted that it was pleasant coming down to watch the drama; Gyara Kayanka and believes that the message and contents of the play would get across to other youths, through the participants.

Uju Dubas Agbas, Manager Arts at the British Council, Nigeria commended the participants of Gyara Kayanka for their involvement in promoting peace and prayed that it is her desire to see them imparting the knowledge garnered during the period of time it took them to get their acts together and put up the wonderful performance.  

Addressing the audience and the visiting representatives from the British Council, the chief host of the event, Chairman of Kaduna South Local Government Council, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Jubril Ibrahim thanked the British Council for their support and belief in the youths in the promotion of peace in the country.

Alhaji Ibrahim stated that, peace, which is a vehicle for the developmental growth of any nation, cannot be overlooked by any, be it government or private organisations.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Sani Maiwada, representative of the state Coordinator of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE Kaduna state, the District Head of Makera, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf, Alhaji Kabiru Tijani, District Head of Kakuri and Alhaji Kabiru Zubairu , the District Head of Barnawa.

Mr. Livinus Otteh CEO Video Waves International

One of the participants, Mr. Idjeghere expressed his gratitude to the organizers of the drama; Gyara Kayanka for the opportunity provided them as youths and teaching them the benefits encapsulated in eschewing violence and becoming self reliant to themselves and families. He gave special thanks to the CEO of Video Waves international for his exemplary leadership and directory skills all through.

The youth leader promised that going back to his community, there are much to give back to his people.