Advancement of Social Justice, Development and National Security through Drama in Ola Rotimi's <i>If…A Tragedy of the Ruled</i>

Abstract

This paper examines how social justice, development, and national security could be advanced through drama from the perspective of Ola Rotimi's IF...a Tragedy of the Ruled. The paper adopts qualitative analysis as a methodology in determining the suitability of drama in the actualization our country's objectives in relation to development and national security. Drama is employed as an instrument of consciousness to the people and makes them aware of their responsibilities to the nation to ensure the sustenance of their communal survival. It is observed that the entire community is encouraged to work together in solidarity to achieve progress and self- reliance to free themselves from their oppressors. Within the drama, it is revealed that individual heroism is discouraged as being incapable of solving Nigeria’s problems and so the communal heroism is the desirable as it ensures development and guarantees collective security. The paper makes advocacy for a reduction in poverty which is crippling the lives of the people by the government to alleviate the hardship that is being experienced by the masses. Again, it is necessary that basic amenities such as food, water, shelter, education, health services, road and power should be made available to the people as a means of consolidating social security in the country. The point from this drama is that social justice, development and national security will advance if the majority of the citizenry are provided with basic necessities to sustain their lives.