From the 1960s up until the earlier 1990s, drama TV series and programs were big ticket items for Nigerians to tune in to. However, all that started to diminish in 1992, when the first Nollywood block-buster movie “Living in Bondage” was released. In the following years, it triggered the avalanche of movies released in the Nigerian movie industry, creating a niche and a means of income for Nollywood.
Prior to the explosion of home videos in the late 1990’s, a number of drama TV series were favourably received by viewers in different parts of Nigeria while a few others have continued to draw in large viewership despite the large quantum of Nigerian home videos made available for people’s personal enjoyment.
Drama TV series such as The New Masquerade, The New Village Headmaster, Cockrow at Dawn, Adio’s Family, Sura the Tailor, Jaguar, Samanja,Second Chance, Behind the Clouds, Mirror in the Sun, Ripples and many others were a delight for most families to watch. These drama series were also a unifying factor for every member of the family who rush back to their homes in the evenings in order not to miss the editions.
Today, there are just a few drama series on Nigerian TV. But these have been submerged by the prevalence of home videos that are being churned out on a daily basis in torrents. Irrespective of the quality of these movies which are hurriedly written and shot for commercial purposes, they have become the treasure-trove in many homes across Africa.
In the same vein, many of these movies fail to teach morals and values which are necessary in correcting the ills and vices in the society, but lay much emphasis on ephemeral values like wealth, fashion, social status, sex, etc.
Although, the drama series produced back in the days were not entirely for commercial purpose, they imparted strong values in the minds of viewers.
It is against this backdrop that detailed effort of Globacom to develop the Professor Johnbull TV drama series which seeks to impart salient societal values and restore the old family fun-times, is commendable.
The series is a social satire which chronicles the life of a retired Professor, Johnbull Macnwigwe. The widower who had a long lecturing career, lives with his engineer son, undergraduate daughter and maid in a serene neighborhood in Enugu. He stands as the voice of the people and his home is a melting pot for all activities. Indeed, Prof. Johnbull is seen as an opinion leader in his domain.
Apart from the events that dramatically take place in the Professor’s house, there are also other major characters whose lives and activities are interwoven with that of the Professor and his household in one way or the other and lends strongly to the comedy’s ability to explore social satire in a funny and easy-going way.
The rib-cracking, yet highly thought-provoking drama series, features popular actors including, Kanayo O. Kanayo who plays the lead character Professor Johnbull, Mercy Johnson-Okogie, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Ime Bishop Okon, Queen Nwokoye, Junior Pope, Funky Mallam, Bimbo Akintola, Bidemi Kosoko, Chiwetalu Agu, O.C. Ukeje, Bovi, Mama G, Helen Paul and many others.
The producer, Tchidi Chikere enthused that Nigerians will find the new T.V drama series very interesting.
Nigerians finally had the opportunity of watching the sitcom on national television. It debuted last Tuesday at 8.30pm to 9pm with a repeat broadcast on Friday, same time on NTA Network, NTA International and Startimes.
With Professor Johnbull’s intriguing story plots, Nigerians are billed to enjoy sublime entertainment and humour as well as learning ennobling values that will make life better and more exciting as the A- list characters interact to unravel social malaise.
At another level, Professor Johnbull presents a microcosm of the Nigerian society with archetypal characters like Olaniyi the restauranteur representing South West, Funky Mallam who plays Mai Doya representing the North and Ogus Baba, the comedian from Warri representing the South-South. There is also a good blend of artistes from the South East in the mix. This gives the drama series a platform to preach good neighbourliness and patriotic citizenship in addition to its core mission of providing premium entertainment for the enjoyment and relaxation of Nigerians. Whichever way you consider it, “Professor Johnbull” is indeed a welcome breath of fresh air in drama production on television in Nigeria. Like a viewer said repeatedly when we watched the first episode last Tuesday, this is the best drama on Nigerian TV in decades.
