Our Team

TFDC’s team currently consists of the following people:

Professor Oga Steve Abah (Coordinator) Professor Oga Steve Abah has been teaching Drama and Theatre for Development in the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nigeria since 1979. He played a pioneer role in establishing Theatre for Development as an academic discipline in Nigeria, and has won many fellowships and awards. Throughout his academic career, Prof. Abah has continued to participate in civil society as a member of various NGOs. He is a resourceful consultant/ facilitator with extensive experience in the use of participatory methodologies, especially in the areas of good governance, conflict resolution and health communication. He is fascinated by, and continues to interrogate, the interplay between theory and practice. He made his mark as a scholar, consultant/ trainer, and field worker through these interrogative approaches. Professor Abah is the current Director of the Institute for Development Research (IDR) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Contact: ogaabah@yahoo.com; aba.ogah@gmail.com
Professor Jenkeri (Jenks) Okwori (Head Research & Training)) As an experienced actor, director, and producer, Professor Jenkeri Zakari Okwori has been teaching Participatory/ Development Communication at the Ahmadu Bello University since 1984. He served in a range of development committees and facilitated/ resourced many workshops on development communication, capacity building, strategic planning, democracy monitoring, advocacy, and theatre for development. Prof. Okwori produced and acted in various television programmes, and has been granted a range of Nigerian and international fellowships and awards. With his flair for humour, he capably challenges stakeholders to tackle sensitive issues and move beyond stereotypes and resistances. Contact: drjenks123@yahoo.com
Ilse van Lamoen (Partnership & Project Development) Ilse van Lamoen graduated with distinction in International Relations and Gender Studies (M.Sc.) and worked for 6 years as a researcher in various Dutch universities and EC-funded research programmes. She has been in Nigeria for over three years, supporting various organisations in programme management (participatory needs assessments, action planning, M&E) and organisational development (strategic planning, institutional capacity building). Inspired by the mobilising power of drama and video as participatory tools for change, she recently joined TFDC with the aim of pushing forward TFDC’s training agenda and participatory methodologies. She liaises with NGOs/ CBOs, government agencies and other development practitioners to explore training interests and develop joint capacity building projects and proposals. Contact: ilsevanlamoen@yahoo.com
Samuel Kafewo (Trainer) Samuel Kafewo (Ph. D), Associate Professor in ABU’s Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, is a seasoned consultant, trainer, and facilitator. His interest especially goes out to matters of democracy, citizenship, and good governance. He facilitated many workshops in civil society participation and accountability (advocacy, election/ democracy monitoring, etc.), with a special focus on gender relations (gender roles, women’s political participation, violence against women). Besides engaging community members in acting and analysing drama scenarios, Samuel Kafewo regularly climbs the stage himself as an actor and judge during national and international drama festivals. He is trained in radio production and cinematography, and has various video/ audio productions on his record. Contact: sakafewo@yahoo.com
Martins Ayegba (Trainer) Martins Adegbe Ayegba is a lecturer at ABU in the Department of Theatre and Performing Arts. He joined the University in 1991. He has served as a resource person, trainer, and facilitator in numerous workshops covering a wide variety of topics: ranging from ‘generic’ networking and communication skills to sector-specific issues such as health communication, secure livelihoods/ income generation, and conflict resolution. Martins Ayegba is trained in radio production (BBC World Service Trust), and has made his mark as an actor in various drama festivals, radio and TV productions. Contact: ayegbam@yahoo.com
Freelance Trainers/ Consultants Apart from the Zaria-based trainers/consultants above, TFDC is linked to a network of trainers and consultants across Nigeria through its parent body, the Nigerian Popular Theatre Alliance (NPTA). The network forms a rich source of potential in terms of skills areas (music/ dance/ drama/ video/ audio) and regional expertise.

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