Students of the Performing and Film Arts, University of Ilorin, have been applauded for their sterling performance in the premier stage play of a book titled ARGUNGU, written by UK-based Nigerian lawyer/playwright Abubakar Orisankoko.

The stage play was performed by 300-level students of the university as part of the academic requirements for the course PFA 343, titled Theatre Administration and Studio Management.

Speaking with journalists after the performance at the PFA theatre, the audience at the presentation, who included the author of the book and members of his extended family, academic, legal practitioners, media and business executives, among others, unanimously, said that the students brought the script to live with their sterling performance.

According to Orisankoko, he said that “When a playwright pens down lines in a play, he has a vision. It's always very scary if you are to employ people to bring that vision and dream to live. Incidentally, today was one of my happiest days because the students nailed the play with their performance. And when you look at their age and experience in drama, they have done a fantastic job. I commend them”.

The author also promised the PFA department to continue his support, saying, “I'm happy to support them because I am in touch with some of the playhouses in London, and the US.

Orisankoko, who said that the stage play was conceived, developed and written into manuscript during his NYSC scheme in Kebbi state in 2007, said that he dedicated the students' performance to his late wife, Muyibat Folashade Orisankoko, an indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun state, (Sowole family) who he said encouraged him on the project.

He said that the research on the play took him to several places such as palaces in Gwandu, Sokoto, Argungu, Kebbi, and History Bureau, Kebbi state, among other places in Northern Nigeria, adding that the manuscript of the play was nominated for an award during the NYSC scheme in 2008.

He said that among the lessons in the play is for everyone to believe in oneself, saying that, “There's strength in us only when we're able to identify the strength.

“Like Yakubu Nabame, he identified the strength in him and explored it, giving birth to the Kebbi kingdom, especially Argungu.

“History of the Kebbi kingdom was extinct but he revived it. That's one lesson for us all. You can see the impact of what he did then, as Argungu is now an international cultural festival”.

He also said that discussion had been initiated with school authorities to take the stage play across academic institutions in the state, and to Gwandu, Sokoto, Argungu, and Kebbi state, among other places in northern Nigeria.

He also called on northern leaders, especially Kebbi and Sokoto state governments, to key into the stage play based on its historical relevance and international acclaim of Argungu, “more so, since no one had told the story of how Argungu started before now”.

He said that the cast and crew of the play, who included Lecturers -in-Charge: Professor Segun Oyeleke Oyewo and Mr. Kazeem Rufai-Ahmad, deserved both national and international recognition and accolades.