FUL, Etsu Lokoja Palace Deepen Partnership For Community Development
By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja, Oct. 17, 2026 – The Department of Theatre Arts, Federal University Lokoja (FUL), has paid a follow-up visit to the Palace of the Etsu Lokoja, His Royal Highness Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda Shelika Nyamkpa IV, to consolidate gains from its Community Theatre Workshop hosted by the Palace in June.
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The visit, led by the Head of Department, Dr. Felix Egwuda, was aimed at reflecting on the success of the Theatre Week and translating its outcomes into sustainable community-focused initiatives.
A major outcome of the engagement was the establishment of standing committees as drivers for the implementation of the aims and objectives of Community Welfare Vanguards, an initiative birthed from the collaboration between the department and the Palace.
The Standing Committees includes: Public Health and Environmental Sanitation Committee; Water Supply Committee; Electricity Supply Committee; and Security Committee.
Other are: Roads/Drainages Committee; Education Committee; and Climate Change Response Committee.
The initiative is expected to strengthen partnership among the Palace, the University community and other stakeholders while promoting community welfare, cultural development, social responsibility and inclusive engagement.
The engagement, according to the department, marks another important step towards transforming the gains of the Theatre Workshop into lasting impact within Lokoja and across Kogi State.
Our Correspondent recalls that students of the Department of Theatre Arts had in June 2026 staged their 2026 Community Theatre Project for residents of Lokoja metropolis including: Karaworo and New Layout areas of Lokoja.
During the project, the students used drama to sensitise residents on unity and peaceful coexistence, highlighting how tribalism, division and lack of cooperation fuel local challenges.
The students urged the community to embrace dialogue and collective responsibility as foundation for development, while also sensitizing them on self-help and community development.
The dignitaries at the event had urged the students to turn their creative skills into business ventures.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye at the June event, noted that Theatre Arts now attracts more applicants than any other humanities course in FUL.
Ibileye stressed that university-community relationship must impact all facets of development.
He commended the Etsu Lokoja for his fatherly hospitality and said the students’ work helps communities rediscover their essence and identify solutions they can implement without waiting for government.
The Vice-Chancellor advocated a joint university-community committee to follow up on gaps identified during the theatre project and escalate them to relevant authorities.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to follow-up mechanisms to ensure that recommendations are escalated and results tracked in the years ahead.
End
DemocracyNewslineNewspaper October 18th, 2026
