By Maxim Uzoatu
The committed Thespian, Greg Mbajioru, is making commendable waves. Among theatre practitioners and scholars in South-Eastern Nigeria, Greg Mbajiorgu stands out for many reasons:
Firstly, he may be regarded as the progenitor of solo dramatic literature in Africa since he is the first African to publish a solo dramatic text.
Secondly, in addition to being the first from the South-East to improvise a full-length solo performance, he is also among the very first playwrights from the region to publish a drama on climate change (Wake Up Everyone) and Poetics of Environmentalism (Plastics, Plastics Everywhere).
Thirdly, he is the co-editor of Africa’s first textbook on Solo Performance (50 Years of Solo Performing Art in Nigerian Theatre 1966-2016) with Amanze Akpuda.
Greg Mbajiorgu is also the sole editor of yet another very historic text in that sub-genre of dramatic arts (The Power of One: An Anthology of Nigerian Solo Plays).
In addition, he has written and produced a drama on the nation’s electricity crises for the Presidency (Towards a New Dawn) which was performed at the Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa, for his Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2010.
In 2014, he collaborated with Prof. Binebai to script a Pro-Innovation drama for the African Innovation foundation, Switzerland. The play Dancers from Africa was first published in 2014 and will be re-issued this year. It is important to mention here that Wake Up Everyone, his play on climate change was commissioned by ATPS Nairobi, Kenya in 2009 and was first produced as Wake Up before it was re-written and re-issued in 2011, 2014 and 2021 respectively.
Mbajiorgu has won numerous notable awards, which includes the following: National Universities Commission’s first Individual Award for Arts and Humanities Research (2012); Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes Achiever’s Award (2013); Nigerian Turkish Nile University Award of Distinction in Solo Performing Arts (2014); Association of Nigerian Authors’ Service Awards (2015); SHELL-CEMAC Annual Sustainability award for Environmental Education (2019); African Solo Award for outstanding contribution to the development of Solo Performance in Africa (2019); Eco-Linguistics Association Award for contributing to the development of Eco-drama and Poetry in Nigeria (2020); Fellow of Theatre Arts (fta) by National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners’ (NANTAP) Body of Fellows (2021); National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners’ (NANTAP) Theatre Sustainability Award (2023).
Another feather will be added to his cap at the Abuja International Theatre Festival (ABITFA), on November 5, 2024 at the Brazilian Embassy Theatre where he will receive ABITFA Special Recognition Award for his original contribution to the development of theatre in Africa.
Associate Professor Greg Mbajiorgu is the current Head, Department of Theatre and Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is married to Imelda Mbajiorgu and has three grown children (Chinemelum, Munachiso and Ikedinife). Greg Mbajiorgu (a twin with Ferdinand Mbajiorgu) hails from Umueze Village in Ihiala, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Other major contributors to the theatre industry who will be receiving awards at the annual event are: His Excellency Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Governor of Ekiti State; Mr. Edgar Joseph, President Duke of Shomolu Foundation; Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Ekiti State; Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesinmi, Thespian Family Theatre Production; Prof. Barclays Ayakroma, Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Africa; Hon. Asiwaju Jerry Alagboso , Playwright/Federal Legislator; Mr. Patrick Omo Otoro, Rivers Of Water Productions; Prof. Rasheedat liman, Department of Theatre ABU, Zaria; and Mr. Anote Ajeluorou, The Art Hub.