Journeying through Nigeria’s 93 years with poetry

By Adie Vanessa Offiong It was 120 minutes of humour, satire and relaxation penultimate Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja when poetry lovers gathered at the Congress Hall to watch Dike Chukwumerije’s Made in Nigeria.  The string of the 20 dramatised poems treating different subjects from terrorism to poverty, motherhood, education, governance and love among […]

By Adie Vanessa Offiong

It was 120 minutes of humour, satire and relaxation penultimate Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja when poetry lovers gathered at the Congress Hall to watch Dike Chukwumerije’s Made in Nigeria. 

The string of the 20 dramatised poems treating different subjects from terrorism to poverty, motherhood, education, governance and love among others, was as exciting as it was sobering and kept the audience glued to their seats till the very end. 

Chukwumerije said the main story the piece was telling through the poems is the story of Nigeria’s 93-year-old story from the amalgamation and how Nigeria came to be. 

Rendition after rendition, the artists delivered in their acts, dance and lines accompanied by soundtrack and costumes which further enriched their messages and provoked responses from the very participatory audience as they concurred or sang along to familiar tunes.  

Made in Nigeria re-enacted the 80s and 90s Nigeria when majority of the citizens regardless of affiliation was keen on restoring the nation’s glory. 

A highpoint was the narrative of the 70s and a stage comeback of the afros, minis, bootlegs and Victor Olaiya’s ‘Baby jo wo.’ It was impossible to miss the seniors in the crowd and the echoed the lyrics.

It was for the guest a different appreciation of the use of poetry when synergised with other artistic genres. 

Guests like presidential spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina said it was an evening well-spent. 

He said: “In the process of being entertained, I have also received messages. 

“Also, I would like to tell those who have put this together that it’s good to tell the history of the country to do a portrait of how the society is but let’s add hope to it that Nigeria will be better. Nigeria isn’t all about gloom or despondence. There is light at the end of the tunnel.” 

On the messages he had received, Adesina said: “There were protests and they come with dissatisfaction with the state of your being and this time, the state of the country. So I noted these.” 

On the style in which poetry was delivered, he said: “It makes poetry come alive, most people who would appreciate poetry better are sort of discouraged by what they believe is the starchy nature of poetry. But when you perform it, it comes alive.” 

A poem – ‘Keep Marching On’ – dedicated to Nigeria’s father of nationalism, Herbert Macaulay, drew the curtains for the night. 

The train moves to Enugu in March and will go on to other parts of the country.