When Lead City University Staged "The Night Before" by Prof Bode Sowande

By Joseph Alani

It was such a cozy afternoon way back in 2015, in the city of Ibadan on the day slated for showcasing the miscellany of the craft of arts, talent and intellect at Lead City University; an enviable citadel of learning that has produced a number of successful individuals in different walks of life.

Located on the border of the largest city in Africa and Ogun state on several hectares, I was greeted with an inciting serenity which flowed so naturally through the fields, lawns, administrative blocks and departments. Just few yards from the gate was a lawn that spanned over appreciable latitudes, housing a volley ball court, a lawn tennis court and a twin basket ball court -where the stage play "The Night Before" --- starring Balogun Janet, Samuel Osaro, Ogege Paul, Jimoh Michael, Anthony Leigh; written by the renowned playwright and founder of Ori Olokun Acting Company, Professor Bode Sowande and directed by Oyelola Olawale of Arts Drive Productions and a student of English and literary studies at the university --- took place. The arena also witnessed the continual thronging of students grom various departments even before it was ready for action.

"The Night Before" is the modification of "The Night Before Graduation" an article dwelling on the murder of the first Nigerian student in a student's demonstration in 1971. The title was adopted on the suggestion of Prof Bode Sowande's friend and  the student union president in UI, Moyo Ogundipe. The play was also Prof's first accepted creative imprint by a London publishing company, Longman precisely. Before publishing, he was advised to add a play or two to makeva volume because of his lean manuscript. The publication birthed other volume of plays including  "Farewell to Babylon" and "Flamingo".

"The Night Before" is a play that centres and mirrors different roles individuals play in a socio-cultural, political entity where an individual is perceived as the constructor of his recital and the direct consequence of his actions. Basking in the sleight of hand with credulity, he sets the actions --- all at a location, a drinking shack--- in Babylon where we are introduced to six characters (graduands, friends) who reminiscent with excitement and nostalgia, their days at the university: their pains and gains and what life hold for them after graduation. We also see a good depiction of the state of governance in Nigeria through those at the hem of affairs at the university like the vice chancellor, registrar, etc. and the continual struggles with several peaceful cum violent protests against such, leading to an eventual  death of a fondly remembered fellow student. Matters of the heart revealing the most intense emotions and pains of genuineness aren't shelved in this beautiful piece either.

At the end of the play, everyone was wowed. Professor Bode on his part saluted the courage of the school and confessed that he was quite impressed by the things he had seen in the school and the performance of the students.