Wade Zack Ver - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Wade Zack Ver
How do ordinary people, especially poor people, affect policies that in turn affect their well-be... more How do ordinary people, especially poor people, affect policies that in turn affect their well-being? What is the role of citizen participation in policy formulation and implementation in this area of globalization? How do changing contexts and conditions affect the entry points through which actors in civil society, especially the poor or those working with the poor, can exercise voice and influence in critical aspects of social care, be they in the areas of health, politics, education, welfare, security, programmes for the disabled or any other significant policy arenas? This paper explores a view that argues for an approach to social policy that sees citizens not only as users and choosers, but as active participants who engage in making and shaping social and political policies as already preached by Theatre for Development. However, to do so raises important conceptual issues about the nature of participation, citizenship and the policy itself. The paper suggests that changing contexts and conditions-demographic change, an increased emphasis on decentralization, privatization of provisioning, and globalization -challenge traditional approaches to participation. This article discusses these conceptual issues within a broader historical review of the strategies through which methodologies like the Theatre for Development have recommended. The paper argues that participation must be repositioned in light of current realities.
It is not uncommon to hear a male being labeled a woman and another female being referred to as a... more It is not uncommon to hear a male being labeled a woman and another female being referred to as a man in most African societies. The African society is structured in a manner that sex, to an extent, is determined by some set-down qualifications employed by the society and expected of every man and woman. These qualifications set the standard to ascertain the position of every individual in that particular society. In Africa therefore, a person's sex group is often judged by how well the individual conforms to psychological characteristics attributed to his or her biological construct. This is because males are expected to posses certain characteristics different from those of females. It is therefore very possible for either a male or female to 'illegally' cross these boundaries and possess the features of another sex group. And since the concept of manhood and womanhood in the Tiv society is determined by special social constructs, it is, indeed, possible to have males who are women and females who are men. This perspective is reflected in some theatrical practices in form of storytelling, masquerade, dances, songs, initiation rites, religion, etc. This research particularly explores the Tiv traditional theatrical practices which to a very large extent, have propagated and promoted this unfortunate philosophy, and perhaps this philosophy is the reason some individuals, especially women, are continually abused in the Tiv society. The research argues that where the society mirrors the arts instead of the arts mirroring the society, change will be difficult to achieve. That is to say, if the people's arts reflect their beliefs and their behavior influenced by their arts, change will be very unlikely. To make it worse, if the people keep making reference to their arts in defense of their cultural behaviours, development is likely going to be a heavier task. The submission herein is that since the Tiv culture seems to thrive on the art forms like songs, dance, music, oral tradition, etc., a change in some philosophies is crucial for a balanced society and this requires a change in these art forms that promote the practices and that a change in the art forms of a people that has to an extent, formed and influenced their history, heavily requires whispering in the minds of the people.
There have been widespread allegations about some men and women who possess unseen and supernatur... more There have been widespread allegations about some men and women who possess unseen and supernatural powers to cause other people's sex organs to vanish, shrink or be sealed (as regards to the female genitalia). These, it is alleged, can be made possible by mere handshake or by 'touching' on any part of the body. The phenomenon, as known by modern scholars, is referred to as Vanishing Sexual/genital Organ Syndrome (VSOS). A number of accused persons have been lynched to death by angry mobs that plunge into the crisis without any measure of ascertaining guilt and innocence and unfortunately, in most cases, as reported by eyewitnesses, these allegations have made very conflicting and doubtful statements. Nevertheless, some members of the public advanced various reasons for the disappearance of the sex organs as medical, criminal, economic and supernatural; the paper suggests that a more critical and verifiable methodology should be used and probably be also adopted by the members of the public and the law enforcement agents, especially the police. This is because this paper has stumbled over various controversial cases of the disappearance and reappearance of sex organs and the spontaneous lynching of persons by angry mob and has had the cause to call for a better methodology of approaching mob accusation and action. After some examinations and results from previous experiments, the paper advocates the use of drama and theatre where drama skits based on real cases would trigger discussions in order to check the validity of some accusations and a better way of educating the general public in handling the hysteria.
Research interests in gender study the world over has brought to bear remarkable weight of influe... more Research interests in gender study the world over has brought to bear remarkable weight of influence on the balance of the sexes and this has influenced major sociocultural engagements in the repositioning of the contemporary woman. These interests of course, have opened up interesting areas of study which are actually quite revealing. Surprising as the plethora of imbalances found in the study of the sexes are, their historicity is actually very distant and probably may have been as old as the first couple and as a result most African traditions have attempted justifications for these inherent inequalities. In this research which is about gender identities, in-depth attention is paid to instances of such justifications from biblical implications through traditional practices and the contemporary status of the woman, where she is almost at the crossroads of indecision: whether to be consigned to passivity and subservience or to dare the status quo and emerge as a holistically equal person with the masculine gender. This paper critically considers male power over female sexuality in Africa vis-a vis African traditions and the postcolonial Africa. Questions bothering on the ownership and control of the female body, marriage issues like bride-price (connoting purchase) and its ownership and a host of other sexuality-related issues are considered. The crux of the matter is that the female body must also gain maximum freedom in expression and control just as that of the male.
Now that Africa is at the historical crossroads, it is imperative we understand or seek to unders... more Now that Africa is at the historical crossroads, it is imperative we understand or seek to understand whether the continent is moving, how we should proceed with its construction and how political development in this region can be sustained positively. The continent is divided into blocs and aggressive plans are being hatched up by sit-tight African leaders and their allies. The masses are fed up with countless years of hunger, poverty, diseases etc. Unfortunately the most extensive search for a radical solution has failed and disastrously too. Africa is made up of people of very different political, philosophical, religious and aesthetic persuasion. There have been a number of round-table conferences and countless reconciliatory dialogues in Africa aimed at resolving feuds and cooling tensions, but none has really yielded any positive result. No sooner than the meetings and dialogues are finished than another starts. It is therefore obvious that the design and methodological approach to this dialogue is faulty. It is therefore very important to come up with a substantial solution to enhance peace in the region; that which would be accepted by all. Dialogues are valuable and interesting for knowing and understanding each other better especially discarding prejudices bred by misinformation. This paper posits that diplomacy through drama can often be more effective than drama of diplomacy. That the reduction of tension between leaders and the led needs a dialogue that is international in scope, universal in interest, participatory in approach and that which can whisper into the minds of peoples of all languages and cultures. This type of dialogue is drama. It is a theatrical form which is not sugar-coated for development propaganda. Rather it is participatory and has been already tested by both Governmental and Non-governmental agencies in Africa. The result has been overwhelmingly successful. It is widely known as Theatre for Development (TfD). This paper therefore calls for its adoption to resolve conflicts in Africa.
Indecent dressing by Nollywood actresses has become a thing of worry to many consumers of Nigeria... more Indecent dressing by Nollywood actresses has become a thing of worry to many consumers of Nigerian home video, especially parents and teachers. The industry has portrayed a sex-world by nomenclature in which we experience a trans-valuation of values in human dignity and sensuality. Indecent dressing in Nigeria home video has been seriously propagated through a laudable publicity all in the name of trends and fashion. This has serious consequences and these have spread sporadically on university campuses and because he who copies from another has a tendency to go hyper, a devastating scenario of immorality is often the resultant consequences. This paper sees the decay in morals brought about by the industry especially as it affects our educational institutions and concludes that the Nollywood industry is capable of creating another primitive world where our students will have to move naked to lecture halls if the menace posed is not checked.
Drafts by Wade Zack Ver
Nigerian songs of the late 1970's-mid 1980's had clear focus with discernable lyrics which target... more Nigerian songs of the late 1970's-mid 1980's had clear focus with discernable lyrics which targeted the dissemination of specific messages that would make for a better society. Nigerian musicians like Fela Anikulapo, Sunny Okosun and Prince Nico Mbarga readily come to mind as the proponents of reformative popular songs of the time. The period between the early 1990's to recent times mark a sharp deviation from the convention of meaningful songs in Nigeria. It must also be noted that this period of deviation in purposeful music is marked with the emergence of digitalised construction of music and song accompaniments. One distinct feature of the songs of this later period is the lack of coherent lyrics with particular messages but of songs tilted towards eroticism; a situation where the song is all about the erotic nature of women and sometimes men. Suffice it to say that the songs lack meaningful focus while promoting sexuality. In recent times, there is an emerging trend in popular songs especially in Tiv land. The renditions either extol or lambast political office seekers. As a result of the fact that the songs usually represent the thoughts of the people towards those political office seekers, they (songs) most often shape opinions and predict the outcome of elections. This paper focuses on three songs by three artistes namely; " IDYU KA INYA I TEEN GA " (Legislation is not land sales) by Stuffy, " UGBA NYOR SHOR CHENJI " (Ugba entered and the game changed) by Terkura Ikyumbur and " ORTOM GUDUGUDU " (Ortom, heavy followership) by Faaga, during the 2011 and 2015 general elections in Benue State. The paper holds that the emerging trend in Tiv political folk songs is not only a highly dependable way of predicting elections but a public commentary on the expected behavioural patterns of public civil servants. 2
Historical, archeological and scientific theses which are based on researches have shown that hum... more Historical, archeological and scientific theses which are based on researches have shown that humans are perpetually in a level of development. Factually, humans engage themselves in one or more things and the resolve is a desirous taste emanating from the intellectual instincts of wanting to curb challenges around him. In the archaic times, man was predominantly facing challenges on how to ensure a continuous existence by means of enacting theatrical and dramatic performance on his little stage. Theatrical performances in the 20 th c have gone beyond stage performance but this should not be mistaken for the fact that stage performances are not relevant in our contemporary dispensation (living society). With the advanced use of technology, African entertainments in order to educate, inculcate and teach morals, have therefore moved to a greater height where the people need not go to theatre houses to encapsulate their environmental happenings either moral or immoral just as theatre and the environment are symbiotic, the society provides the material for performance while the theatre produces for this same society, so also is the African society and her film industry.
How do ordinary people, especially poor people, affect policies that in turn affect their well-be... more How do ordinary people, especially poor people, affect policies that in turn affect their well-being? What is the role of citizen participation in policy formulation and implementation in this area of globalization? How do changing contexts and conditions affect the entry points through which actors in civil society, especially the poor or those working with the poor, can exercise voice and influence in critical aspects of social care, be they in the areas of health, politics, education, welfare, security, programmes for the disabled or any other significant policy arenas? This paper explores a view that argues for an approach to social policy that sees citizens not only as users and choosers, but as active participants who engage in making and shaping social and political policies as already preached by Theatre for Development. However, to do so raises important conceptual issues about the nature of participation, citizenship and the policy itself. The paper suggests that changing contexts and conditions-demographic change, an increased emphasis on decentralization, privatization of provisioning, and globalization -challenge traditional approaches to participation. This article discusses these conceptual issues within a broader historical review of the strategies through which methodologies like the Theatre for Development have recommended. The paper argues that participation must be repositioned in light of current realities.
It is not uncommon to hear a male being labeled a woman and another female being referred to as a... more It is not uncommon to hear a male being labeled a woman and another female being referred to as a man in most African societies. The African society is structured in a manner that sex, to an extent, is determined by some set-down qualifications employed by the society and expected of every man and woman. These qualifications set the standard to ascertain the position of every individual in that particular society. In Africa therefore, a person's sex group is often judged by how well the individual conforms to psychological characteristics attributed to his or her biological construct. This is because males are expected to posses certain characteristics different from those of females. It is therefore very possible for either a male or female to 'illegally' cross these boundaries and possess the features of another sex group. And since the concept of manhood and womanhood in the Tiv society is determined by special social constructs, it is, indeed, possible to have males who are women and females who are men. This perspective is reflected in some theatrical practices in form of storytelling, masquerade, dances, songs, initiation rites, religion, etc. This research particularly explores the Tiv traditional theatrical practices which to a very large extent, have propagated and promoted this unfortunate philosophy, and perhaps this philosophy is the reason some individuals, especially women, are continually abused in the Tiv society. The research argues that where the society mirrors the arts instead of the arts mirroring the society, change will be difficult to achieve. That is to say, if the people's arts reflect their beliefs and their behavior influenced by their arts, change will be very unlikely. To make it worse, if the people keep making reference to their arts in defense of their cultural behaviours, development is likely going to be a heavier task. The submission herein is that since the Tiv culture seems to thrive on the art forms like songs, dance, music, oral tradition, etc., a change in some philosophies is crucial for a balanced society and this requires a change in these art forms that promote the practices and that a change in the art forms of a people that has to an extent, formed and influenced their history, heavily requires whispering in the minds of the people.
There have been widespread allegations about some men and women who possess unseen and supernatur... more There have been widespread allegations about some men and women who possess unseen and supernatural powers to cause other people's sex organs to vanish, shrink or be sealed (as regards to the female genitalia). These, it is alleged, can be made possible by mere handshake or by 'touching' on any part of the body. The phenomenon, as known by modern scholars, is referred to as Vanishing Sexual/genital Organ Syndrome (VSOS). A number of accused persons have been lynched to death by angry mobs that plunge into the crisis without any measure of ascertaining guilt and innocence and unfortunately, in most cases, as reported by eyewitnesses, these allegations have made very conflicting and doubtful statements. Nevertheless, some members of the public advanced various reasons for the disappearance of the sex organs as medical, criminal, economic and supernatural; the paper suggests that a more critical and verifiable methodology should be used and probably be also adopted by the members of the public and the law enforcement agents, especially the police. This is because this paper has stumbled over various controversial cases of the disappearance and reappearance of sex organs and the spontaneous lynching of persons by angry mob and has had the cause to call for a better methodology of approaching mob accusation and action. After some examinations and results from previous experiments, the paper advocates the use of drama and theatre where drama skits based on real cases would trigger discussions in order to check the validity of some accusations and a better way of educating the general public in handling the hysteria.
Research interests in gender study the world over has brought to bear remarkable weight of influe... more Research interests in gender study the world over has brought to bear remarkable weight of influence on the balance of the sexes and this has influenced major sociocultural engagements in the repositioning of the contemporary woman. These interests of course, have opened up interesting areas of study which are actually quite revealing. Surprising as the plethora of imbalances found in the study of the sexes are, their historicity is actually very distant and probably may have been as old as the first couple and as a result most African traditions have attempted justifications for these inherent inequalities. In this research which is about gender identities, in-depth attention is paid to instances of such justifications from biblical implications through traditional practices and the contemporary status of the woman, where she is almost at the crossroads of indecision: whether to be consigned to passivity and subservience or to dare the status quo and emerge as a holistically equal person with the masculine gender. This paper critically considers male power over female sexuality in Africa vis-a vis African traditions and the postcolonial Africa. Questions bothering on the ownership and control of the female body, marriage issues like bride-price (connoting purchase) and its ownership and a host of other sexuality-related issues are considered. The crux of the matter is that the female body must also gain maximum freedom in expression and control just as that of the male.
Now that Africa is at the historical crossroads, it is imperative we understand or seek to unders... more Now that Africa is at the historical crossroads, it is imperative we understand or seek to understand whether the continent is moving, how we should proceed with its construction and how political development in this region can be sustained positively. The continent is divided into blocs and aggressive plans are being hatched up by sit-tight African leaders and their allies. The masses are fed up with countless years of hunger, poverty, diseases etc. Unfortunately the most extensive search for a radical solution has failed and disastrously too. Africa is made up of people of very different political, philosophical, religious and aesthetic persuasion. There have been a number of round-table conferences and countless reconciliatory dialogues in Africa aimed at resolving feuds and cooling tensions, but none has really yielded any positive result. No sooner than the meetings and dialogues are finished than another starts. It is therefore obvious that the design and methodological approach to this dialogue is faulty. It is therefore very important to come up with a substantial solution to enhance peace in the region; that which would be accepted by all. Dialogues are valuable and interesting for knowing and understanding each other better especially discarding prejudices bred by misinformation. This paper posits that diplomacy through drama can often be more effective than drama of diplomacy. That the reduction of tension between leaders and the led needs a dialogue that is international in scope, universal in interest, participatory in approach and that which can whisper into the minds of peoples of all languages and cultures. This type of dialogue is drama. It is a theatrical form which is not sugar-coated for development propaganda. Rather it is participatory and has been already tested by both Governmental and Non-governmental agencies in Africa. The result has been overwhelmingly successful. It is widely known as Theatre for Development (TfD). This paper therefore calls for its adoption to resolve conflicts in Africa.
Indecent dressing by Nollywood actresses has become a thing of worry to many consumers of Nigeria... more Indecent dressing by Nollywood actresses has become a thing of worry to many consumers of Nigerian home video, especially parents and teachers. The industry has portrayed a sex-world by nomenclature in which we experience a trans-valuation of values in human dignity and sensuality. Indecent dressing in Nigeria home video has been seriously propagated through a laudable publicity all in the name of trends and fashion. This has serious consequences and these have spread sporadically on university campuses and because he who copies from another has a tendency to go hyper, a devastating scenario of immorality is often the resultant consequences. This paper sees the decay in morals brought about by the industry especially as it affects our educational institutions and concludes that the Nollywood industry is capable of creating another primitive world where our students will have to move naked to lecture halls if the menace posed is not checked.
Nigerian songs of the late 1970's-mid 1980's had clear focus with discernable lyrics which target... more Nigerian songs of the late 1970's-mid 1980's had clear focus with discernable lyrics which targeted the dissemination of specific messages that would make for a better society. Nigerian musicians like Fela Anikulapo, Sunny Okosun and Prince Nico Mbarga readily come to mind as the proponents of reformative popular songs of the time. The period between the early 1990's to recent times mark a sharp deviation from the convention of meaningful songs in Nigeria. It must also be noted that this period of deviation in purposeful music is marked with the emergence of digitalised construction of music and song accompaniments. One distinct feature of the songs of this later period is the lack of coherent lyrics with particular messages but of songs tilted towards eroticism; a situation where the song is all about the erotic nature of women and sometimes men. Suffice it to say that the songs lack meaningful focus while promoting sexuality. In recent times, there is an emerging trend in popular songs especially in Tiv land. The renditions either extol or lambast political office seekers. As a result of the fact that the songs usually represent the thoughts of the people towards those political office seekers, they (songs) most often shape opinions and predict the outcome of elections. This paper focuses on three songs by three artistes namely; " IDYU KA INYA I TEEN GA " (Legislation is not land sales) by Stuffy, " UGBA NYOR SHOR CHENJI " (Ugba entered and the game changed) by Terkura Ikyumbur and " ORTOM GUDUGUDU " (Ortom, heavy followership) by Faaga, during the 2011 and 2015 general elections in Benue State. The paper holds that the emerging trend in Tiv political folk songs is not only a highly dependable way of predicting elections but a public commentary on the expected behavioural patterns of public civil servants. 2
Historical, archeological and scientific theses which are based on researches have shown that hum... more Historical, archeological and scientific theses which are based on researches have shown that humans are perpetually in a level of development. Factually, humans engage themselves in one or more things and the resolve is a desirous taste emanating from the intellectual instincts of wanting to curb challenges around him. In the archaic times, man was predominantly facing challenges on how to ensure a continuous existence by means of enacting theatrical and dramatic performance on his little stage. Theatrical performances in the 20 th c have gone beyond stage performance but this should not be mistaken for the fact that stage performances are not relevant in our contemporary dispensation (living society). With the advanced use of technology, African entertainments in order to educate, inculcate and teach morals, have therefore moved to a greater height where the people need not go to theatre houses to encapsulate their environmental happenings either moral or immoral just as theatre and the environment are symbiotic, the society provides the material for performance while the theatre produces for this same society, so also is the African society and her film industry.