Wole Balogun, Ado-Ekiti

Scholars from across the world will converge on the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, to share useful information, via their research works, to assist policy formulators on counter-terrorism drive in the global community, wage the war against insurgence more effectively.

Themed: ‘Theatre, Counter Terrorism and the Nigerian Space,’ the event is the 31st International annual  Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA), which holds from October 30 to November 3.

World-renowned scholars in the humanities, particularly the performing arts, who include Profs. Femi Osofisan, Bode Sowande, Bakare Ojo-Rasaki, Matthew Umukoro, as well as seasoned lecturers would present academic research papers that create workable paths towards ensuring effective and efficient counter terrorism measures in Nigeria.

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Speaking about  the purpose of the event, Bakare,  who is Dean, Post Graduate School of FUOYE said, “Theatre, as you know, is as you know is an art and every art form is used as a message carrier, every art form is used as a means of disseminating information, that is where theatre come in as in counter terrorism.

“It can be used to send information that are relevant to how to make sure that situation that build up terrorism does not build up in the first instance.

“Theatre can be used to build vigilance,on how to make sure that the environment are secured. It can also used in the area of behavioural and attitudinal change.

Theatre is used to also de-radicalise the minds of potential terrorists or terrorism that have been captured or disarmed /so that they can be used as change agent in the society.

“The different papers that are going to be presented by scholars will be bearing intellectual and technical information that operators of counter insurgency can use to help their work of counter terrorism.

“Apart from the papers to be presented, Even the fact that people are gathering in Ekiti to discuss counter terrorism will build awareness for counter terrorism activities.”

Bakare, who is a former Director of the Abuja carnival, spoke during a press briefing to herald the SONTA event at the post graduate room of the Department of Theatre and Media Arts, FUOYE.

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He said awards presentation in  recognition of the sterling contribution if some outstanding Nigerians including  Alhaji Dayo Thomas, Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board,

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Juju maestro King Sunny , ICT entrepreneur  Tope Agbeyo, CEO, Comfield Big Limited, and wife of the in coming Governor of Ekiti State who is also chairperson of the opening ceremony of the event, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi will feature in the event.

Head of the Department of TMA in FUOYE, Dr. Bifatife Adeseye who is chief host of the visiting scholars, was flanked by members of the staff if the department including Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), SONTA, 2018, Laide Nasir (PhD), General Secretary of SONTA, Desen Jonathan Mbachaga (PhD) ) as well as Lilian Bakare ( PhD), Sola Balogun, (PhD), Oyinye Aneke, and Mr. Isaac Gondo, among others.

Assuring that adequate preparations have been out in place to ensure a smooth, secured and fulfilling outing, Adeseye said: “We are proud to be the first out of the 12 new federal universities to host the 31st annual SONTA conference.

“We are expecting over 30 scholars of TMA including international figures in the field to come and to discuss the  theme of the conference in order to chart the   way forward in the joint effort towards formulating germane policies on counter terrorism in the Nigeria space.

“The national bodies have been here twice to evaluate our facilities and they have been impressed.

“We have solid preparation in all rounds in place for scholars coming including hospitality, security and other logistics. We sought support for the university authority which has promised us.

“We are discussing the theme on terrorism so that the society would know that we are concerned about the security challenge in the nation.

“This is purely an academic event but it will honour our colleagues in the industry such as Bollywood, regulatory agencies among others.

“Our Post Graduate students and candidates will be presenting papers and interact with renowned scholars. “Economically, the flocks of people coming will patronize local marketers and hospital business. Terrorism in all facets of life will be discussed and this will make the conference more stimulating,” he said.