Theatre for development, internal displacement and food crisis in benue state: The Ukpiam IDP camp experience

Abstract

In recent years, population displacement has been topical in discourses across disciplines. This worrisome trend that has affected  livelihoods and peaceful co-existence in the country is caused mainly by armed farmers/herders’ conflicts and banditry, among other  factors. In Benue State, the farmers/herders’ crisis has been the major cause of displacement which has sacked farmers from their  sources of livelihood. Consequently, food shortage prevails in the state and the nation at large, given the fact that Benue State whose  massive population is displaced, is considered the food basket of the nation. Through a qualitative research approach, this paper investigates other issues that are associated with this displacement. The paper found out that if nothing sustainable is done to  checkmate this ugly trend, the entire country might be plunged into food crisis in the long run. It, therefore, recommends the theatre for  development (TfD) approach as an enduring strategy towards resolving this hydra-headed problem. As evidenced in the Ukpiam TfD  workshop under study, this people-centred form of theatre has been proven over the years in various experiments to trigger actionable  solutions to community problems and jolt relevant government agencies and other policymakers to enact policies that offer lasting   solutions to issues identified.