The Mountain Top University has staged a play to address issues surrounding the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic across the world.
The play which was shown on screen before a large audience was part of the activities to mark the 2nd & 3rd combined convocation ceremony of Mountain Top University, MTU, located at Lagos-Ibadan express way, Makogi Oba, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
Titled ‘Trials of Covid-19,’ the play written, directed and co-ordinated by Olatunbosun Taofeek while the VC MTU is Professor Elijah Ayolabi.
The play examined the politics, conflicts and tragedies of the Covid-19 virus when it was first discovered in Wuhan, China before spreading to other countries including Nigeria.
First Time
It was perhaps the first time a university convocation play would be filmed, using both human and material resources belonging entirely to the host university.
Speaking before the commencement of programme, Vice Chancellor of the University, represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Oladele John Akinyomi expressed his appreciation to the department of language for bringing the innovation.
Analyse some of the events
He said filming a play would contribute to current issue on Covid-19 pandemic and analyse some of the events that took place during the lock down.
He said the play had demonstrated that, ‘Covid-19 was preventable if we do the needful’, and as a means of communication to the general public, it had educated us, ‘on the reality of existence of Covid-19 in our society.
It was Olatunbosun Taofeek, a lecturer from department of language who doubled as playwright, producer and coordinator of the play. The hall was almost full to its capacity.
Lecturers, students, staffs of the institution including the Vice Chancellor and members of the public watched the play.
Comprising of eleven different scenes, packaged together, the play unravels the mystery leading to the death of many people including the atheist, WHO officials, and the so called inventor(s) who we might say understand the diplomatic game and are knowledgeable about preventing the virus.
In the play, the real cause of the death is shredded in mystery, as it portrays no particular cause, not even the virus or any ailment but death, the inevitable end of every mortal.
Deemphasised the notion
The play deemphasised the notion that Covid-19 was a hoax just like any other viruses.
Covid-19 is real and it is preventable. This was the general notion shared by Dr. Anana Mariam, lecturer and coordinator of language laboratory of Mountain Top University.
At the end of the play, comments, remarks and presentations were made from the audience. Among them were Folu Agoi, President, PEN and Dr. Michael Abiodun, an Attorney with Ministry of Justice and author of many books.
Lateefah Ibrahim
