Playwright: Olanrewaju Ari-Ajia

Publisher: Phyleom Publishers, Lagos

Pages: 113

Year of Publication: 2015

Reviewer: Olutayo Irantiola

Society is the bedrock of inspiration for writers because they are a product of that locale, and this can be applied to any genre of literature. The unending complexities of the country would produce sufficient themes for any writer; as it is being said, African writers are still fighting for emancipation from our brothers, who are taking us on another round of ‘colonialism’. Ari-Ajia, a product of this society, tried to examine the rot in the educational system, the power tussle which leads to the wanton waste of lives and what people call ‘love’ on February 14.

The first place is about a young lad, Dede, a book aficionado; he reads at all times in preparation for his final examinations from high school to the University. He has been having endless struggles with two tempters and his ‘tempter’ friends equally. He eventually becomes a victim of what happens to many Nigerian students; they study courses that they do not want because they do not know people who can help them during the struggle for admission. Some of the insinuations from the play are written below-

The technocrats who have proven integrity are usually scared of coming out to contest for leadership positions; while those who want to squander national resources keep doing it optimally. The tempter made a salient point about the populace, ‘bad people are not more than good people but observers are the largest group of the good people; while the bad guys occupied the good places in the country’ Pg. 5

The role of writers in society, which is to educate and sensitise people, is no longer appreciated as it used to be before. One of the statements in the text shows that writing is not profitable. However, writers take solace in the salient truth that they are building their names and also, writers never die, ‘what people are doing is making money and neither writing nor thinking; and why, simply because education is no longer a profitable business.’ Pg. 13

Since the encroachment of private universities in Nigeria, the ability of poor men to get affordable and quality education for their children has become a mirage; with those mentioned earlier, the playwright wrote, ‘We hardly have quality education anymore in this country. The few that we have are beyond the grasp of poor people. ‘ Pgs. 14 & 15.

Students of public schools have a thorough understanding of strikes. Public office holders rarely consider the children of the poor in the quest to ‘fill’ their pockets; as such, teachers go on strike periodically. On page 23, the playwright expresses his view most especially when two releases contradict one another: ‘ The government announces resumption of rediffusion, teachers turn students back in schools. Dede’s mum told him not to return home.’

The parental vice of getting their children to pass examinations at all costs was also discussed. Dede’s friends educated him, while Oga Teacher detailed the financial rates that determine examination success. Gone are the days when students wrote ‘Almighty May-June’ for many years. The names of the schools are ‘Easy Passage College and Pyrrhic Victory College’. The result is evident in the names.

On page 43, NECO, the acronym of the National Examination Council, was, also given another definition: ‘Nation-wide Examination Corruption.’ Also, manipulating Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) to ensure that the candidate gets the desired scores to be offered admission for a course he cannot cope with was mentioned; other issues mentioned were’ indigenous issues’, and federal character was not left out of the discourse.

This play satirises the educational system and shows the need for an overhaul. If hope were restored to the poor, our educational system would truly produce graduates who are worthy in learning and character.

The second play ‘State of the Nation’ reflects the tussle by the power brokers which negatively impacts the populace; it is about the uncompromising stand of the powerful. The power brokers consult, connive, empower touts and want to lead with impunity till there is an eventual crash of the system in form of war. The play has a heavy use of personification of animals, parables and cultural elements. The theme of ‘waste’ is depicted from the waste of energy by going to war and equally the waste of human lives.

The last play titled ‘February 14’ is about the type of ‘breed’ that can result from illicit sex on that day. Janet, the character in the play, set the pace for Patrick to come and have a feel of her flesh. There were mentions of national problems, such as, fuel scarcity, black market, bad roads, these are common phenomena in Nigeria, Janet implored Patrick to leave the vehicle at the gas station and come over to her to celebrate the day and it ends in copulation.

These plays are well-crafted with great words; virtually all the pages have major discussions that describe the current state of our country. Students who read the play would have a rethink about their commitment to studies so that they would not be seen as a wasted breed; the powerful ones should also reconsider their stand for the good of all, and for lovers to consummate their relationship before consuming the fluffy flesh.