“END-SARS”AGITATION IN NIGERIA: A CORRELATIVE DISCOURSE OF UZO NWAMARA’S DANCE OF THE DELTA

Abstract

Until recent time, the Nigerian space is besieged with issues emanating from “End-SARS” agitation, masterminded by some aggrieved youths who publicly protest to seek redress in fundamental issues that are affecting the Nigerian front in the 21st century. These issues include police brutalities, corrupt governance, hardship, weak political system, incessant killings, poverty, tribalism, divide, and rule system, and suffering. Their means of agitation include public demonstrations, blockade of governmental establishments, and disruption of governmental and non-governmental economic and social activities. This further paves room for hoodlums to acerbate their heinous and malicious acts, which includes likes of youth restiveness, shop breaking, theft, looting, and destruction of properties. These malicious dichotomies unequivocally increase the pain, suffering, hunger, and death of the people and threaten the existence of the Nigerian state. The study, therefore, aims at identifying the cause and effect of “End-SARS” agitation in the Nigerian space, drawing reference from Uzo Nwamara’s Dance of the Delta. To achieve this, Textual Analytical Approach and Social and Behavioural Change Communication Theory are employed as guides. Uzo Nwamara as a new generational Nigerian playwright strives in his plays to address issues of terrorism, youth restiveness, political bigotry, and tribal sentiments. Amongst the major suggestions, the study insists that job opportunities should be made available to the Nigerian youths as that would help decrease the rate of crime which paves room for the establishment of SARS and other crime-related agencies that are positioned to tackle crimes in the Nigerian state.