Eco-Criticism, Niger Delta Despoilment, and Governance Failure: A Study of Youth Restiveness in Yerima's Hard Ground and Ayakoroma's A Chance to Survive

Focused on eco-drama decrying polemics of conflicts between elders and youths, government and inhabitants, because of the subsisting environmental degradation in Niger Delta, the article exposes dimensions of frightening inhumanity, wastage, and monumental governance failure. Ecoliterati such as Ahm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agathos : an international review of the humanities and social sciences 2023-01, Vol.14 (1), p.191-210
Main Authors: Chidi-Igbokwe, Mary-Isabella A, Eze, Norbert O, Igbonekwu, John, Aniago, Emeka, Abada, Felicia C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African literature
Ayakoroma, Barclays
Drama
Ecocriticism
Environmental degradation
Environmental impact
Literary characters
Metaphor
Nepotism
Patriotism
Political leadership
Public administration
Social justice
Theater
Yerima, Ahmed
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Summary:Focused on eco-drama decrying polemics of conflicts between elders and youths, government and inhabitants, because of the subsisting environmental degradation in Niger Delta, the article exposes dimensions of frightening inhumanity, wastage, and monumental governance failure. Ecoliterati such as Ahmed Yerima and Barclays Ayakoroma objurgate a repulsive culture of hypocrisy, mediocrity, nepotism, lack of patriotism, social injustice, and dysfunctional socio-political structure. This paper discusses the nuances of convergences and divergences in the playwrights' utilization of eco-critical language in portraying shades of victimhood claims, and deplorable actions and inactions, which are inimical to the environment and wellbeing of the people in the region. Drawing from eco-criticism and interpretive approach, the paper examines the portrayal of implicit and overt instances of complicity in the actions and inactions of key characters in the plays as metaphors representing social-political negativities propelling retrogression, pain, and restiveness in the Niger Delta. The observation is that both plays blame the upsurge in discontent and violent restiveness on abysmal leadership by local elders/leaders, as well as the state, federal government and the multinationals.
ISSN:2069-1025
2248-3446