Aba Women’s Riot re-enacted in stage play, ‘August Meeting’

To promote women empowerment and the advocacy for their rights, a stage play, ‘August Meeting’, will begin a tour of major Nigerian cities in November.

Rooted in the events of the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, ‘August Meeting’ was premiered in February in Lagos.

The play examines topical issues such as gender equality, women participation in politics, monopolised power, women as second-class citizens, motherhood, family and domesticity.

Written by Paul Ugbede and directed by Kenneth Uphopho, the play highlights the problem with patriarchy and the need for women empowerment.

Chioma Onyenwe, producer of the play, said the fight for women empowerment is unending and the advocacy for women’s rights on grounds of equity and equality is still crucial as demonstrated in the lack of inclusion of women in Nigerian politics.

Onyenwe said these were depicted in the play.

She said the play highlights the story of the women of Oloko and their leader Nwanyereuwa as they demand for control over their lives.

“The Women’s War remains an important historic event that speaks about the underestimated strength of women who came together and showed courage, bravery, rebellion and even sacrifice while fighting an oppressive system,” she said.

“In the aftermath of the war, which ignited the revolution in the defense of women’s rights in Nigeria, the August Meeting was inaugurated.”

The production boasts of top-class actors such as Gloria Anozie-Young, Bella Okojie, Ijeoma Aniebo, Inna Erizia, Odera Orji and Deola Gimbiya.

The play will open in Lagos on November 18, 23 and 24 in Abuja, 27 in Nsukka, 28 in Enugu, 29 in Awka, December 1 in Owerri and close in Aba on December 2.