‘Bintu-the Musical,’ drama on crisis in north-eastern Nigeria premieres in Lagos

‘Bintu-the Musical,’ a drama which chronicled the humanitarian impact of decade-long crisis in north-eastern Nigeria premiered in Lagos on Thursday.

The drama, which focuses on Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, was premiered at the MUSON Centre, courtesy the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

“We hope the play will spark conversations around the crisis in the North East and lead to greater engagement of all parts of society – the private sector, government agencies and individuals – boosting efforts to achieve zero hunger in Nigeria,” said Paul Howe, WFP representative and country director in Nigeria, at the event.

The drama revolves round Bintu, a young girl, whose dreams of going to university are dramatically cut short when the insurgents strike.

It chronicled Bintu and her friends’ journey to survival, starting from their stay in internally displaced persons (IDPs), where they receive humanitarian assistance.

‘Bintu-the Musical,’ was written and directed by Agozie Ugwu, a Nigerian playwright who teaches performing arts at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja.

“This work goes beyond a theatre piece. It is a call to action from humanity to help humanity,” said Ugwu, whose Mosaic Theatre Production developed the play with WFP.

Its premiere in Lagos will be followed by a showing in Abuja in the first quarter of 2020.

The drama is part of ongoing efforts of the WFP to attract international attention to issues affecting people in the north-eastern region ravaged by insurgent activities.

Since 2016, the agency has provided a lifeline for several internally displaced people, returnees, young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women with life-saving food and nutrition support.