Design concept and characterization in select Igbo masquerades

The study of the concepts and motifs in Igbo masquerade design requires an adequate knowledge of the traditional society from and for which the masquerades are created. This knowledge entails an understanding of the worldview of the society that gave it birth. In other words, the Igbo masquerade phenomenon is better understood through an analysis of the concept of mmonwu in Igbo cosmology both as spirit manifests and a performance art. The problem of this study therefore is to interrogate the design concepts and motifs in select Igbo masquerades through which they are characterized and identified. Through an analysis of the design concepts and motifs in Anuka, Agboghommuo, Ajikwu and Ijele masquerades respectively, the study finds that Igbo masquerades are characterized and identified  through the nature of their designs and the philosophy through which they are conceptualized. It thus submits that the Igbo masquerade phenomenon is not fortuitous rather it is an art that encapsulates the Igbo philosophy and worldview. The study therefore recommends the study and analysis of Igbo masquerade designs and motifs as a means of deepening the understanding of the art which  understanding will further position the art in global performance space

CONNECTING BRIDGES THROUGH THEATRICAL DESIGN: AN EXAMINATION OF “ASIRI NLA” IN PERFORMANCE

The theatre provides an avenue for the expression of very salient and topical issues about a people through the presentation of performances. These performances, which are often in form of plays, are always created by playwrights and that is why playwrights are said to be the watch dogs of the society because their works x-ray past and present situations while proffering solutions for the future. However, the theatre is a composite art which involves the collaboration of many creative artists: Playwright, Director, Stage Manager, Actor(s), Designer(s), amongst others. The designer(s) are the creative artists that interpret the play in visual terms. Their creativity gives a better understanding to the play in performance as the dramatic piece is given further expressions through the actors‟ costumes, properties, lighting and scenery. This essay will interrogated the use of costume and set design in bridging ethnic divides using a Workshop performance of “Asiri Nla” as performed by students of the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka at the Arts Theatre. The study found that through an effective set design and appropriate use of costumes that the production was able to unite different peoples under one roof without acrimony thus, it recommended at the effectiveness of design in theatrical productions is a sure way of enhancing national integration

SCENOGRAPHY AND SOCIETAL CHANGE: AN APPRAISAL OF SCENOGRAPHIC PRACTICE IN A DEVELOPING ECONOMY

Scenography is the most eloquent visual aspect of the theatre. It involves situating a performance within a specific and identifiable environment as well as the delineation of the characters as it concerns costumes, with its attendant accessories and properties and the proper illumination of the performance to enhance the audience’s appreciation of the said performance. The practice of scenography therefore, involves an adequate knowledge of the principles and elements of design as well as a fair knowledge of graphics and the rudiments of carpentry, fine and applied arts, tailoring, and electrical engineering in addition to a mastery of architectural principles. The scenographer therefore must be a rounded artiste with immense creative potentials. This paper thus, examines the qualities of the trained scenographer with a view of ascertaining the potentials open to him as a professional in a fast developing and ever changing society

Internet service providers responsibilities in botnet mitigation: a Nigerian perspective

Botnet-based attack is dangerous and extremely difficult to overcome as all the primary mitigation methods are passive and limited in focus. A combine efforts of internet service providers (ISPs) are better guides since they can monitor the traffic that traverse through their networks. However, ISPs are not legally banded to this role and may not view security as a primary concern. Towards understudying the involvement of ISPs in Botnet mitigation in Nigeria, this study elicited and summarized mitigation measures from scientific literatures to create a reference model which was validated by structured interview. Although, ISPs role is seen to be voluntary and poorly incentivized, the providers still take customers security very serious but concentrate more on the preventive and notification measures

Scenographic considerations in staging Dipo Kalejaiye’s Danger Awake

The theatre is a collaborative art which entails the coming together of different artists for the sole aim of putting a performance before an audience. These artists of the theatre include the playwright, the director, the stage manager, the set, lighting and costume designers as well as the make-up artist, the sound man, the props man and the actors. This implies that the theatre is as auditory as it is visual. Scenography therefore is basically concerned with the visual aspect of a theatrical production which in actual fact involves the creativity of the scenic designer, the lighting designer, the costume and make-up artists as well as the property and the sound designers. However, the art of the scenographer does not stop at the decoration of the set and the provision of costumes and properties but entails all the creative work that comes into a theatrical production. The problem of this study therefore is to interrogate the creative responsibilities of the scenographer in the production of a theatrical work beyond mere decoration of scenery. This is done through an examination of the technical requirements involved in the staging of Danger Awake,a play written by Dipo Kalejaiye with the aim of aiding prospective producers of the play by providing scenographic blueprint towards a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing design for an adequate realization of the play on stage for the proper understanding of the audience

Prevalence and correlates of postpartum depression among women visiting postnatal clinic in a tertiary health institution in southeast Nigeria

Background: Postnatal depression (PND), a major health problem, can have deleterious effects on new mothers, their infants and their family. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to this phenomenon in terms of identification, diagnosis and treatment in our environment.Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and correlates of PND among postnatal attendees in a tertiary health institution in South-East Nigeria.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study in which women visiting Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Amaku, postnatal clinic from 1st. March- 31st May, 2017 were recruited. Data were collected using Socio-demographic Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). A score of 10 and above was considered a likely case of PND. One hundred and thirty two (132) self-administered questionnaires were completely filled and analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics including means, frequencies, X2 –test at the 95% confidence level (CL) were used in analysis. Logistic regression was applied to identify the independent predictors of PND risk.Results: The prevalence of PND among the women was 33.3%. PND showed significant association with maternal age (p=0.027), low socio-economic status (p=0.037), parity (p=0.031), mode of delivery (p=0.023), type of delivery (p=0.025) and lack of emotional support (p=0.001).Preterm delivery (OR=2.9), caesarean delivery (OR=3.7), low socio-economic status (OR= 4.1) and lack of emotional support (OR=5.8) from husband were independent risks factors for PND.Conclusion: The prevalence of PND, 33.3% among postnatal women is high. Screening and management of PND should be an important part of postnatal services so as to improve maternal and infant wellbeing.Keywords: Screening, risk factors, 4-6 weeks, post-delivery, maternal, infant, wellbein