Students of the Department of Theatre Arts, Federal University Lokoja, staged a series of drama presentations at Karaworo Community, New Layout, on Sunday as part of their 2026 Community Theatre Project promoting unity, self help, peaceful coexistence and community development.

The 300 level students used the performances to highlight how tribalism, division and lack of cooperation continue to fuel local challenges, while urging residents to embrace dialogue and collective responsibility as the foundation for development.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Gbenga Ibileye, noted that the exercise reflects the growing relevance of Theatre Arts, disclosing that the discipline now attracts more applicants than any other humanities programme in the institution. He stressed the importance of stronger university community engagement, adding that the students' interventions help residents identify practical solutions without waiting for government intervention.

"This is something that would give you food, a quality livelihood. It will make you your own employer and, if diligent, employer of several other people," he stated, urging students in costume design, stage design, playwriting, makeup and event coordination to commercialise their skills.

Head of Department, Theatre Arts, Dr Felix Egwuda, explained that the project is structured in two phases, community sensitisation and a follow up evaluation to assess progress made by residents and authorities.

Chairman of the 2026 Planning Committee, Prof Awam Menegbe, revealed that the team carried out field research, analysed community challenges and developed skits to reflect identified issues, noting that the outreach to Karaworo follows earlier engagements in Lokongoma, Ganaja and Adankolo.

The Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika, commended the initiative, stating that the students had narrowed the angles by identifying community problems and advocating harmony. "There is no human being called government. You can't go to any office and say, I've come to arrest the Government. We are the government," he said.

The event's highlight was a series of playlets performed by 86 students, addressing issues such as water scarcity, bad roads and epileptic power supply, with calls for collective action and accountability.