A BRIEF EXPOSITION OF GREG MBAJIORGU’S WORKS ON ECO-DRAMA AND ENVIRONMENTALISM

GREG NNAMDI NNABIKE MBAJIORGU (NURESDEF Laureate) (B. A. (Hons) Dramatic Arts, (Nigeria), M. A. Theatre Arts, (Ibadan) M. A. Mass Communication (Nigeria) is a leading activist on climate change and Africa’s first dramatist to publish a play that squarely addresses the problem of climate change in Nigeria (Wake Up Everyone, 2011, 2014). He is also the first African to publish a monodrama (The Prime Minister’s Son, 1991, 2000, 2014). His seminal play on climate change, Wake Up Everyone won first prize at the Inter-Universities Research and Development Competition organized by the National Universities Commission (NUC) in 2012.

This well-researched ecological drama foresaw the flood that ravaged most parts of Nigeria in 2012; a situation which we are also experiencing currently. Beyond writing plays, poems and songs on environmentalism and climate change, Mbajiorgu has also co-authored a mainstream academic paper on Climate Change studies in Arts and the Humanities (2015) with Prof. P. Okpoko and Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro as co-authors.

Wake Up Everyone was first performed for the African Technologies Policies Network, Nairobi, Kenya at the award/dinner night of their international conference in 2009. It was equally produced at Nsukka for the University of Nigeria’s African climate change adaptation initiative (ACCAI) in 2010 and in 2014, the University of Nigeria, again, commissioned its production as the core highlight for its 44^th convocation ceremony on 23^rd January, 2015 at the institution’s Arts Theatre. After that, other universities and higher institutions started to emulate UNN by producing the play for the convocation as well. Among the latest are Bishop Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State which used it for its first convocation ceremony and College of Education Special, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Wake Up Everyone is currently celebrated as a reference text in studies of environmentalism and climate change in Nigerian universities. Teachers and students of Theatre Arts, Linguistics, Music, Fine and Applied Arts, History, Archaeology, Earth Sciences, Bio-resources Engineering and Agricultural Sciences, are currently subscribing for it as a home-grown culture-oriented material on the on topics in environmentalism, climate change mitigation and adaptation in Africa.

Virtually all major Nigerian newspapers have reviewed Wake Up Everyone.

The success of this environmentally-oriented drama and other ground- breaking works of his have won him several prestigious awards and honours among which include the following: 

AWARDS

1.     Most Innovative Creative Artiste Award

Presented to him by the Department of English and Literary studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2005

2.     First Prize for Art and Humanities in the Arts and Humanities Research Awarded by the National Universities Commission at their 2012 inter-universities competition at Niger State tagged NURESDEF

3.     SONTA Achievers’ Award

Conferred on him by the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes, 2013

4.     Anambra State Literary Stars Award

Presented by the Nigerian Book Foundation with support from Anambra State Government, 2013

5.     Award of Excellence in Solo Drama and Award of Distinction as a leading eco-dramatist in Africa

Both conferred on him by Nigerian-Turkish Nile University, Abuja, 2014

6.     Award of Excellence as an Exponent of Ecological Theatre and Monodrama in Africa

Presented to him by the Association of Nigerian Authors in collaboration with Enugu State Broadcasting Services [ESBS] on his 50^th birthday in 2015.

7.     Award of Excellence in recognition of his contribution to Arts and Heritage promotion and preservation in Nigeria through Theatre.

Conferred on him by the Anambra State Book and Creativity Network (ANBUKRAFT), 2016

8.     Most Popular Lecturer Award (Top 10)

University of Nigeria Staff Awards, 2016

          Among his published creative works are:

HONOURS

1.     In 2010, the Governor of Nassarawa State, His Excellency (Dr.) Aliyu Akwe Doma (OON) presented a plaque of honour to G. N. N. Mbajiorgu in recognition of his contribution to the role of theatre in Nigeira.

2.     In 2014, the department of English and Literary Studies, Nigerian-Turkish Nile, University, Abuja organized an honorary conference in honour of G. N. N. Mbajiorgu tagged “Forty-eight Years of Solo Performing Art in Post-colonial Nigeria (1966-2014)”

DRAMA AND POETRY

1.     The Prime Minister’s Son (Monodrama, 2000)

2.     Hands of Fate (Drama co-authored, 2000)

3.     Wota na Wota (Drama on water conflict and water-related issues, 2003)

4.     Water Monologue (Poetic Monologue, 2013)

5.     Water Testaments (World’s first Anthology of poetry on Water and Water-related Issues, 2008)

6.     Beyond the Golden Prize (Drama, 2013)

7.     Wake Up Everyone (Drama on Climate change and environmentalism, 2014)

8.     Dancers from Africa (Drama, 2015)

EDITED WORKS

1.     Songs of Gold: Fresh perspectives on J. P. Clarke (Critical Essays, co-edited, 2011)

2.     The Noisy World and other works (Anthology of Greg Odo’s Poems and paintings, 2011)

Greg Mbajiorgu: A Profile

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

GREG MBAJIORGU, exponent of solo and ecological theatre, is the First African to publish a monodrama and a seminal drama on climate change. His eco-drama Wake Up Everyone won the first prize for arts and humanities Research at the2012 National Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) organized by the National Universities Commission (NUC). From 1991 to 2000 during his self-sponsored historic national tour with his one-man show (The Prime Minister’s Son), Mbajiorgu recorded over six hundred successful performances in  universities, secondary schools, Army Barracks, Cultural centers and several other Educational institutions across Nigeria and beyond. As a Theatre Artist and professional interested in innovation and challenging assignments, Mbajiorgu has executed the following professional Theatre contracts/duties in the last two decades.

1. The Lion on Exit (1992), a send-off play commissioned by the Governing Council of the University of Nigeria as part of the activities marking the last days of Prof. Chimere Ikoku as vice Chancellor

2. The lion of Lions (1996) a solo documentary drama with background chorus- Based on the poems and the speeches of RT. Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, First President of Nigeria and founder of the University of Nigeria.

3. Wota na Wota- a water conflict resolution drama (2003) commissioned by OEP/JDP Water programme, Enugu, with funding from MISEREO, Germany. Premiered in 2008 at the New Arts Theatre UNN during the National Universities Game (NUGA).

4. Trial of the Fitest (2007) written for the end of year retreat of the African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE). Performed at the Bridge Water Hotel, Enugu.

5. Keep The Dream Alive (2008) written for AIAE 2008 retreat and Performed at the Bridge Water Hotel, Enugu.

6. Beyond The Golden Prize (Miniaturized Version) written for the 10^th Anniversary of Seat of Wisdom Secondary School, Enugu.

7. Wake Up Everyone (brief version) 2009, commissioned by ATPS, Nairobi, Kenya, for their International Conference on Climate Change,which held at Nicon Luxury Hotel Abuja.

8. Toward a New Dawn (2010) Commissioned by Presidential Task Force on Power and Performed at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa Abuja for the 2010 Power Stake Holders Forum.

9. United against Climate Change (2011) Commissioned by the University of Nigeria’s African Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ACCAI, UNN), Performed at Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN (2011).

10. Mbajiorgu was also appointed the Official Dramatis for the Innovation prize for Africa (IPA) by the African Innovation Foundation, Switzerland during which he wrote and produced Dancers from Africa with Benedict Bine Bai. The Pro-Innovation drama was performed during the Award Ceremony at Ibeto Hotels Abuja in May, 2014.

11. Appointed member of the Educational Advisory Council of UNNESCO Club for Global Education by the Board of Directors for UNNESCO Club for Global Education.

12. Wake Up Every one (2014 Edition) was staged on the 23^rd January 2014 as special command performance for the 44^th Convocation Ceremony of University of Nigeria Nsukka  and as reception drama for the visitor and the Minister for Education Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.

13. Appointed Adjudicator 23^rd and 24^th Edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

 Greg  Mbajiorgu who hails Ihiala in Anambra State, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Film Studies UNN, He is the editor of four scholarly Books including a recent one on J.P Clark, co-edited with Sonny Ododo. (Song of Gold: fresh perspectives on Clark).

Mbajiorgu is married to Imelda Chineze Mbajiorgu (Nee Anakudo) and they are blessed with three children.

 MAJOR AWARDS

1.2005 most innovative creative artist award Department of English and Literally Studies, UNN.

2.2012 First position Individual Award in Arts and Humanities (Research) Awarded by the National Universities Commission (NUC). 

3. 2013 Anambra Literary Stars Award Awarded By Nigerian Book Foundation.

4.2013 Archivers Award. Awarded By the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists.

5. 2009 Golden Pen Award. Awarded by Association of Nigerian Authors, Imo State Chapter.

6. Award of Excellence in Arts, and Distinction in Solo performance Art by The Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja.

 CONFERENCE IN HONOR OF GREG MBAJIORGU  

The Nigerian Turkish Nile University, Abuja in 2014 during Mbajiorgu’s sabbatical leave at the University, hosted a conference in honour of Mbajiorgu, celebrating 48 years of Solo performing Arts in Nigeria 

Published Plays by Greg Mbajiorgu

1. Hands of Fate Snaap press Ltd Enugu 2000

2. wota na wota Snaap press Ltd Enugu 20033. The Prime Minister’s Son (monodrama) second edition Kraft Books Ltd 2011

4. Beyond the Golden Prize (school drama) Kraft Books Ltd 2013

5. Wake up Everyone (latest edition) Palace press Ltd Abuja 2014

Unpublished Books

1. Towards a New Dawn

2. Who Bears the Blame?

3. Keep the Dream Alive

4. Trial of the Fittest

5. Dancers from Africa

6.The Blind Man and the Whirl wind

COMMAND PERFORMANCE OF GREG MBAJIORGU’S WAKE UP EVERYONE FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION DURING THE 44^TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE UNICVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA ON 23^RD JANUARY 2015.

                     

                  

                  

                  

THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF UNN PROF. BENJAMIN OZUMBA THANKING THE MINISTER FOR HIS HANDSOME DONATION FOR THE TROUPE AND COMMENDING THE PLAY WRIGHT (GREG MBAJIORGU ) AND THE  CAST AND CREW FOR AN ELECTRIFYING   PERFOMANCE