Children’s Theatre Festival Showcases Young Changemakers in Zaria
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Children took centre stage at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Friday as the Creative Arts for Development Centre (CRAD Centre), in collaboration with the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, hosted a colourful Children’s Theatre Festival aimed at empowering young people to become catalysts for positive social change.
The festival, held at the ABU Studio Theatre (Drama Village) under the theme “Children as Agents of Change,” attracted children, parents, educators, artists, students, and theatre enthusiasts in a celebration of creativity, learning, and child participation.
Featuring dance, drama, music, interactive games, and arts and crafts, the event provided children with a platform to showcase their talents while building creativity, communication, teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills.
Welcoming participants, the Head of the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Emmanuel T. Gana, described children’s theatre as an effective tool for education and character development.
He commended the partnership between the department and the Creative Arts for Development Centre, urging parents and educators to support creative learning opportunities that nurture imagination, self-confidence, and responsible leadership among children.
Executive Director of the Creative Arts for Development Centre, Dr. Franklin Pyokpung Zaure, said investing in children’s creative development was critical to building stronger communities.
“Children possess enormous potential to influence their families, schools, and communities. Through theatre and the creative arts, they develop confidence, creativity, empathy, and leadership skills that empower them to become agents of positive change,” he said.
According to him, the festival demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to creating safe and inspiring spaces where children can learn, express themselves freely, and contribute meaningfully to society.
The audience was entertained by a series of vibrant performances that highlighted the creativity and confidence of the participating children, earning applause from parents, teachers, invited guests, and theatre practitioners.
Many attendees also reaffirmed the importance of integrating creative arts into children’s education, noting that theatre provides a practical avenue for nurturing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
The festival ended with appreciation for participating schools, facilitators, volunteers, partners, and supporters whose contributions made the event successful.
Both the Creative Arts for Development Centre and the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, pledged to sustain their collaboration in promoting theatre and the creative arts as powerful tools for education, child development, and community transformation.
