Accolades for ‘Othello’ in Kuje

Last Saturday, students of Vocational Enterprise Institute Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) displayed before their parents and family members the results of what they had gained from the ‘Project Othello’ programme organised by Impression Films Ltd (IFL) to help them improve their reading skills, confidence and discipline levels, among others. They acted, danced […]

Last Saturday, students of Vocational Enterprise Institute Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) displayed before their parents and family members the results of what they had gained from the ‘Project Othello’ programme organised by Impression Films Ltd (IFL) to help them improve their reading skills, confidence and discipline levels, among others.
They acted, danced and sang as well as did recitals to the admiration of all present as some parents saw the creative sides to their children they never knew existed, before now.
Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603. It is based on the short story Un Capitano Moro by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, which was first published in 1565.
IFL boss, Sebari Diete-Spiff explained that an open announcement was made at the assembly grounds for students to indicate their interest.
“The audition was to be for 15 students but we ended up with 23 because of the response of the kids. They spent time after school to rehearse and they achieved the aim by just being ready to interact, dance and dialogue,” she said.
Dr. Adokole Oklobia of the University of Abuja taught the children to read ‘Othello,’ which is a set text for Literature in English for secondary schools.
Diette-Spiff said the project started seven months ago with a focus on ensuring that the kids were able to apply the themes and situations in the book to everyday life.
“It is important that kids know how to read. The project has attracted book donations from all over the world to the school’s library,” she said.
The project used dance, music and act to teach them to read while urging the creativity of parents to change and build kids.
Nana Osei Kwame, a UK-based Ghanaian theatre specialist who worked with the children to discover and harness their talents, described his experience with them as exciting and interesting. He said he was keen to work with them again and also follow up on their progress as he hoped the initiative would be taken beyond the school.
Diete-Spiff also informed that plans were underway for a film to be made out of a 24-page script which the children have written emanating from their time on the Project Othello.
Pastor Ade Awoniyi, a parent, said he felt challenged by the vision and intention of the project team to assist the children and indicated parents willingness to corporate with such initiatives which he added were most beneficial to the students.
Several other parents like Mr. Nwebo attested to the fact that they had seen changes in the attitudes of their children and how much their reading skills, confidence and discipline had improved in the period they were a part of the project.
Another parent, who asked not to be named, said he had concluded that his child was sluggish and slow to absorb anything. However that changed very quickly.
“My perception changed when I saw how his reading improved when he began rehearsing in the project. I was quite hesitant to allow him come initially because I didn’t understand what he was going to school for when others were at home until the day he shed tears and my friends urged me to let him go. I feel really happy with what I have seen him do here today,” he said.
Beside herself with excitement, Magaret Kwasu Yokbaliyat, who is the Kuje Area Council Officer for the Department of Mass Education, said she is happy that the school was the choice location for such an initiative.
“I was very embarrassed the first day they took the children through the reading exercise because of how poorly they did,” she said.
“But in no time, I saw that they were relating freer with the team which also helped them begin to make progress with their confidence and reading abilities. They were dedicated to the project,” Yokbaliyat added.
While urging that this should not be the end of such a project for the school, she emphasised that other students on the various levels needed to be a part of it.
An elated student, Favour Zephaniah, said he was happy that he got the permission of his father to be a part of the project because he loves to act and do such extra-curricular activities.  He was especially happy to prove to his father that he could do a lot more than he was given credit for.