Ogiehgieh The Musical : Tackling Girl Child Education Using Arts

By Emmanuel Daraloye

It is no secret to many that the education of women and girls is important for the alleviation of poverty. As it is ancient news also that women and girls face explicit barriers to entry to school, for example, violence against women or prohibitions of girls from going to school, while other problems are more systematic and less explicit, for example, science, technology, engineering and mathematics  education disparities that are deep rooted in the world.

This is why Ogiehgieh The Musical an original English-language musical showcase directed, written and composed by Award-winning Creative Artist/Thespian Davidfnycountry Austine Ogbadu (“Pain,” “I’m in love,” Ogwu The Musical”) and Production Designer Valentine Onogu (What is Justice?) who in collaboration with the students of MSA crafted a minimalistic set design and excellently portrayed their characters on stage.

Produced by VO studios a rapid ascending film and theatre company, Ogiehgieh The Musical which was staged in Mustard Seed Academy, Airport Road, Abuja Nigeria, competently explores the complex inequalities in education that girl children face in Nigeria.

Set in Jattu, Edo State Nigeria, the story follows the courageous Ogiehgieh, a sixteen year old girl being auctioned as a bride to be groomed by a much older man who vehemently refuses because of her thirst for academics and  knowledge.

Ogiehgieh The Musical bravely attacks the unjust bias that girl children face with themes of Girl child Education, Grooming, Trafficking, Abuse, Discrimination, Gender-based violence, Early marriage, Female genital mutilation and Unhealthy family dynamics.

With an elevated storyline and original songs, that feeling of everywhere/nowhere is reflected in the scores of this production. They’re enjoyable enough, tender and constantly lilting with contemplative lyrics.

Ogiehgieh The Musical is an amazing and inspiring Musical play that aims on improving girls’ educational levels by demonstrating the negative and positive clear impacts on the health and economic future of young women with education, which in turn improves the prospects of their entire community.