Academic scholars from two Nigerian universities have called for an urgent reorientation towards African cultural values, warning that the growing embrace of Western civilisation is steadily eroding indigenous traditions, belief systems, and ways of life.

The call came during a theatrical production assessment held at the University of Uyo, where professors from UNIUYO and the University of Calabar, alongside doctoral students, gathered to evaluate a stage play titled "ISADOK," written by Prof. Uwemedimo Atakpo and directed by doctoral candidate Mr Asukwo Etuk of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, UNIUYO.

The production formed part of the requirements for the award of a doctorate in Theatre and Film Studies to Etuk.

Serving as external examiner, Prof. Imo Emenyi of the Department of English, UNIUYO, awarded the production a pass mark while identifying areas requiring improvement in subsequent stagings.

Emenyi acknowledged Etuk's interpretation of the Ibibio ethnic nationality cosmology, noting that the director had given meaningful expression to the Ibibio world view. "He has clearly shown the relationship among the world of the living, the dead and the unborn," she observed.

While commending Etuk's handling of dialogue, characterisation, make up, costume, set arrangements, and music, the examiner raised concerns about articulation, pronunciation, lighting for visibility, floor patterns, and the handling of props on set. She also noted that the director stayed close to the script when personal innovations could have reduced the running time from 102 minutes.

"It was an interesting performance in concept, style and interpretation of the world view, the scenes which help in the understanding of the environment," Emenyi remarked.

The play, ISADOK, explores the tension between Western and traditional cultural values while asserting the supremacy of God over ancestral forces. It centres on the influence of "Atakpo" and "Amamong," ancestral deities of the Uruan and Okobo people of Akwa Ibom State, and follows characters "Itabi" and "Mama Koko" as they navigate the pull of tradition, city life, and faith.

The production aligned with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka's philosophical framework of three coexisting worlds: the living, the dead, and the unborn.