In commemoration of its yearly drama day, the drama club of Atlantic Hall School, Poka, Epe presented a stage drama, Hopes for the Living Dead. 
Written by Ola Rotimi, it tells the story of lepers’ revolt that took place between 1928 and 1932.  The story is centred on Ikoli Harcourt Whyte and the British administration that include the Senior Medical Officer, Superintendent of Police and many others in the administration.    
 
The play interrogates what people face in real life, showing that government does not keep all its promises. In the drama, conflict starts when Dr. Fergusson returned to London and his departure causes a stop in his research for the cure of leprosy, meaning that the patient’s hope of getting a cure went with him. His departure also puts a stop to their medical treatment, leading to a lack of care for them. The children brilliantly demonstrates Africa’s plight where the government does not provide welfare for their citizens.
    
Through his performance, Prince Evans Macauley is able to shed light on the play’s central theme, the plight of those often neglected in the society. 

Another student actor, Tobi Fapounda, shared insights into the challenges faced during production, but highlighted the message of perseverance and hope portrayed in the play.

He urged Nigerians to draw lessons from the drama in addressing societal issues. Head of School, Atlantic Hall, Adetayo David, praised the students for their remarkable performance and effective communication skills, despite the challenges encountered during production. According to him, he gained fresh insight and understanding into what the story is all about through the drama enacted. “It is a yearly event and it keeps getting better. We have the facility to hold the event on campus but we decided to use the Lagos theatre to give our students the opportunity to showcase themselves on a big stage where parents and other visitors can see what they are doing.”

    
PTA Chairperson, Madam Kemi Segun Abimbola, lauded the school for nurturing a platform where children can comfortably express themselves. She emphasised the importance of encouraging children to excel in many areas beyond academics, stating, “When you encourage children, it makes them do better.”
     
A parent present at the event, Tiria David West, expressed admiration for the opportunity the drama provided for the children to express themselves and delve into the nation’s history. He emphasised the importance of nurturing talent beyond academics, stating, “It showcases the potential of the children and is an integral part of their holistic education.”
   
Another parent, Rev. Dr. Namsi Akwa, praised the performance for instilling lessons about decision-making and teamwork. She expressed pride in seeing the children understand their culture and take responsibility for themselves; commending the students’ dedication and the continuous improvement of the annual event.