By Amaechi Agbo

Lack of pipe borne water, effective healthcare centre, inefficient security network, distance school environment and low animal husbandry have been identified as the five basic needs confronting the people of Ogbozara Community in Opi, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State.

Students from Theater and Film Department, University of Nigeria Nsukka, who were on a One-week research at the community, made the disclosure while rounding off their programme in the community over the weekend.

Led by Dr Jonathan Eze, the 3rd year students who are 50 in numbers spent a week in the community as they interacted with the people of the area

Addressing the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze Ogbozara 111, Chief William Ezugwu in his palace on Saturday to round off their programme, the leader of the group explained why they were in the community.

“These are 3rd year students of Theater and Film Department, UNN. We have been going from one community to the other trying to use drama to provoke community development. Theater has been our traditional means of communication in the villages and communities.

“During their 2nd year, they did a course called Introduction to Theater Development. This one is called Community Theater Project, it is a demonstration of the theoretical aspect they studied in 2nd year. It is for them to learn how theater could be used to provoke development

“Our villages lack cohesion and we are trying to restore it. The theatre we brought here is what I call ‘fictional reality’ and that is why we informed the Igwe and his council of the five basic things the people need – Water, well-equipped healthcare centre, efficient security, school and animal husbandry.

“We are not asking for infrastructure development like roads or building skyscrapers, but the minimal basic things the people need to survive as a community. For instance, there is borehole in the community but we found out that it is not working. It runs one day and will be off for up to three days, what happens during the days it is not running?

“The healthcare center which is where we were accommodated lacks drugs. There is security system in the community but it is not effective enough and then we discovered that the people of the community do not engage in animal husbandry or animal farming. There is a public school in the community but it is very far from the people.

“These are the issues we identified and we are going to work with the leaders of the community through the Eze to ensure that solutions are provided. That is the essence of our programme here.

“The people are very industrious and hardworking but these five things we have identified here should be put in place to make their lives more meaningful,” Dr Eze said.

Dr Eze who said their coming to the community was a blessing as they witnessed the birth of a child on their first day and the birth of twins on their final day, lauded the hospitality of the people adding that he would wish to live in the community

“The people are very receptive, highly hospitable. The vegetables we use throughout of stay were provided by the women free. They gave us free food, fruits, water and all that we needed. In fact, I feel like coming to live here. I am from Igboeze South (in Enugu State) and I think that my place may not be as receptive as this place in terms of hospitality.”

Addressing the students after they displayed their drama and cultural dance in his palace, His Royal Majesty, HRM Eze Ogbazara 111, Chief Williams Ezugwu thanked the students and their leaders for choosing his kingdom for the message of development and their research.

“I want to thank you sincerely for chosen Ogbozara Kingdom for this project. All the five items you identified, we will look into them. We have them already but you advocated for improvement, we will look into it.

“The borehole we have, we will continue to improve it to serve the people more. Security critical for any community’s development and we are working round the clock on this.

“I want also inform you that as someone who has been in showbiz for a long time, i have identified three exceptional students from the people who acted drama here and I will work to link them up to Nigeria movies makers and the Nollywood.

“In this kingdom, I have kids who regularly come here to pray for me and the kingdom. I told them that anyone who comes first in his or her exams should come for full scholarship. Human capacity building is our priority and education is critical in achieving this aspiration,” he concluded.

The President-General, Ogbozara Community Union, Dr Amaechi Isiani who addressed the students through his Public Relations Officer, Mr Amaechi Agbo thanked them for their work. He promised that the Executive Council is working to get the issues addressed and enjoined them to remain focused in their academic endeavour

“You have spent a week in our community. We may not have adequately provided all that are required to make your stay here much comfortable, please accommodate our shortcomings. However we remain grateful and appreciative of your time and efforts here. We are aware of the basic needs you enumerated and can assure you that plans are in the way to tackle them.

“On behalf of the Executive Council and the entire good people of this community, I wish you safe journey back to your campus and urge you all to remain focused on your academic pursuit.”

In an interview with out correspondent, one of the students, Mr Madụabuchi Omeje while sharing their experiences, said the people of the community were hospitable adding that they will come back on a follow-up

“Generally, the people are very good, they are hospitable. In fact, they are very humble. When you meet elderly people, they will greet you before you could even greet them, asking after your well being.

“It was a great experience for us. We learnt a lot and we are very grateful to the good people of Ogbazara Community.

“Certainly, we are going to return on a follow up. We are going to monitor how the challenges we identified are being tackled,” he said.