For many students at Corona Secondary School (CSS), Agbara, June 4th and 5th, 2026, will be remembered not just as dates on a school calendar, but as the turning point where their creative dreams were validated by some of Nigeria’s finest theatrical minds.
The Generation Next Theatre (GNT) Initiative, powered by TheatreMania Africa, brought its impactful mentorship train to the school, leaving an indelible mark on students, faculty, and parents alike through a mixture of mentorship session, artistic training, and a jaw-dropping collaborative theatrical production.
The journey began on Day One with a deeply engaging panel session. Led by moderator Alayande Stephen T. ( CEO, TheatreMania Africa), the mentor lineup consisting of Dr. Sam Uche Anyamele fta ( Nollywood Actor/Thespian)., Bukola Thomas (Nollywood Actor), Dr. Ochuko Odesa(Charters Accountant with PAFA), Julius Olaolu Oyekanmi( Tech Guru, MD, Finnova Tech), Tomiwa Songonuga (Reality Show Celeb), Paul Uwagbai (Veteran Director) and M.D. Omisore (Education Consultant) did not deliver standard academic lectures. Instead, they shared raw, real-life stories of resilience, discipline, and creative triumph. The interactive session gave the students a safe space to ask questions one on one with the mentors, resulting in an impactful day of mutual learning and inspiration.
Further more, the students, the school community and the parents were taken back when short congratulatory videos and word of encouragement from Dr. Akin Lewis (Veteran Nollywood Actor & Chairman, TheatreMania Africa Festival TAF), Mr. Somnath Malakar, CEO, Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd, the owners of Zee World TV Channels, Africa) and Oluwakemi Otekaiye-Colloraffi (Artiste/Actor/Culture Advocate)
This emotional and mental preparation set the stage for Day Two. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, heightened by brilliant opening performances from the CSS, Agbara Music Unit and the Black Image Theatre Troupe. However, the true transformation was witnessed during “Whispers 4.0,” a collaborative stage play featuring both the GNT Mentors and the young actors of the CSS Agbara Actors Guild. Students who had previously been shy stepped into character with fierce conviction, leaving teachers, non-teaching staff, and emotional parents completely mesmerized.
Reflecting on the profound impact of the two-day event, the Vice Principal (Pastoral), CSS, Agbara, Mrs. Chito Ezike stated: “”What we witnessed over these two days went far beyond entertainment; it was character building in real-time. We saw students discover voices they didn’t know they had. The GNT mentors didn’t just teach theatre; they taught our children resilience, teamwork, and self-belief. The impact on these students from the panel session on Thursday to the final bow on Friday was nothing short of massive.”
GNT Convener, Alayande Stephen T., shared his emotional fulfillment regarding the project: “When we started the GNT Initiative, our core objective was to create a platform to impact, ‘ginger’ and inspire these students. Seeing the students of Corona Secondary School Agbara stand side by side with Nollywood greats like Dr. Anyamele and Bukola Thomas and others on stage proved that our youth are not lacking in talent; they just need platforms and direction. This impact is what fuels us to keep moving from school to school, community to community rewriting the narrative of African youth through the power of the stage.”
Also, the GNT Convener in the course of the programme said ” let me use medium to call and appeal to the Federal Government, State and all Government & Security apparatus in Nigeria to show us that lives of our kidnapped children, teachers and people generally matters, hence, they should do all things within their power to effect the safe release and return of all kidnapped children and people across the country including the Chibok girls. Nigeria will be great again.,” he submitted.
GNT Initiatife Convener
The GNT Initiative’s visit to Agbara has left behind a revitalized creative ecosystem within the school, proving once again that theatre remains one of the most potent tools for human development and emotional growth.
The GNT Initiative is proudly supported by WAP TV, Zee World, NTA 2, STV, Showbiz Afrika Magazine, Brand Times, The Nigerian Voice, TheatreDome, SPLASH9JA, Brand Visibility, Branama TV, RAVE TV, Moon TV, Shodex Gardens, Eagles House Global Resources, EMCOAN, Nkan Media, Black Image Theatre Troupe, Finnova Tech Ltd., Paparazzi Media, Zee Media Services Ltd, The Nigeria Voice, Vivid View With Ehiliz Ltd., The Nollywood Reporters etc.
Email: media@theatremaniaafrica.com
Website: www.theatremaniaafrica.com
Website : www.gntinitiative.org
