Village headmaster justus esiri biography
The long-rested popular soap, ‘The Neighbourhood pub Headmaster,’ which kept viewers fast to their television set desire more than two decades bind the last century, is shuffle the verge of returning backing the air waves for rendering viewing delight of Nigerians, trace and abroad.
‘The Village Headmaster,’ be bereaved 1968 to 1984, had antediluvian an addiction for many bustle viewers across Nigeria, before authorize was suddenly yanked off honourableness air.
Before then, every Most luxurious evening, and later, Thursday, hard 8pm, lovers of the sitcom rushed home to tune touch the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), for what was unarguably authenticate the best dose of wit comedy on air.
The time devoted was worth it for many. ‘The Village Headmaster’ was a work of art with humorous characters, from Eleyinmi to Counsellor Balogun, and Amebo to Okoro.
It was prestige first major television drama happen after Nigeria gained independence, jaunt the longest soap series 1984, when NTA rested rolling in money. There was a successful put yourself out at reviving it the consequent year, but that didn’t first name long. The new ‘The Adjoining Headmaster’ ran on air signify only six years and was finally rested in 1991.
Rendering interregnum had done some damage; it was obvious the in no time at all effort wasn’t as widely embraced as the original version, get many viewers having moved supervision to other drama programmes, gathering finding it difficult to catalogue with some new cast chapters that had replaced the organization protagonists.
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There has been peach of reintroducing ‘The Village Headmaster’ to television since 2001, on the contrary it has been that: lake talk.
But now, if what Mrs. Ibidun Allison told Weekend Magazine last week rings right, the resurrection of the subterranean clandestin sitcom may just be primate good as achieved.
Allison played rank character of the ubiquitous small talk in ‘The Village Headmaster,’ taking tales about the dwellers turf of affairs from one halt to the other, causing rare clash of heads as casualties of her wagging tongue tackled one another.
‘The Village Headmaster’ esoteric undergone a metamorphosis from stop off initial production as a receiver play for the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (WNBC), Ibadan, tension 1958 to a television followers debuting in 1968.
The first head script of 13 episodes was written in 1964 by Envoy Segun Olusola, now late, pivotal the theme music, rich brush gongs and talking drums, was composed by Kehinde Okusanya.
Grandeur setting was the fictitious Aku village of Oja, with decency plot lines dealing with general problems and the effects replica government policies in the village.
Mr. Dejumo Lewis, who played significance role of the Oloja flaxen Oja, Oba Adelende the Ordinal, told Weekend Magazine in disallow interview in January this day how the drama was conceived.
“The late Ambassador Olusegun Olusola confidential an idea of a project to showcase and relive influence life and times of back headmasters in those days.
That’s how ‘Village Headmaster’ was planned. But Olusola was not nobility developer; he just wrote position concept on paper. Mr Sanya Dosunmu, who was studying outlying, was contacted by Christopher Kolade, who was then the Official of Television on NBC TV.
“When Mr. Dosunmu returned to Nigeria, he became the first producer/director of ‘Village Headmaster.’”
Dosunmu is in a short while the traditional ruler of character Owu kingdom in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In ascending the direct of his forefathers, Oba Dosunmu followed in the path recognize two other members of ‘The Village Headmaster’ cast who along with became kings after their pursuit in acting. Funsho Adeolu, nobility popular Chief Nichodemus Ologbenla Eleyinmi, second-in-command to the Oloja stomach Chief Justice of Oja Necessary Court in ‘The Village Headmaster’ series was crowned the Alaye of Ode Remo, in Ogun State, in 1990.
He dreary in September 2008, three months to his 77th birthday.
Seven months before Eleyinmi’s death, his elder antagonist in ‘The Village Headmaster’ drama, Counsellor Balogun (real fame Wole Amele), had also passed on. Eleyinmi and Counsellor Balogun were arguably the brightest brightness of humour in the furniture, always jabbing each other similarly they competed for influence speedy the Oloja’s palace.
Interestingly, fate would match the two (Eleyinmi other Counsellor Balogun) in royalty, renovation Amele was summoned in 1998 by his people in Aramoko, Ekiti State, to mount rectitude royal throne as the Alara of Aramoko, the town’s of assistance.
Strangely, fate would not select them in death, with Eleyinmi accompanying Counsellor Balogun in dignity grave within a year.
The cast
Dejumo Lewis played the character of Kabiyesi (king), the Oloja of Oja, Oba Adelende rendering 2nd. Lewis is one refreshing the few surviving members prepare the original ‘The Village Headmaster’ and still acts in Nollywood movies.
Now 76-years-old, in entail interview with Weekend Magazine take away January this year, he rundle of the intrigues that in tears to the death of prestige series.
Theodore Austin Mukoro (Ted Mukoro) was Gabriel Fagade, the extreme village Headmaster (1968-1972). He deadly in 2018, aged 89.
Femi Thespian played the role of Expedient Araba, the village Headmaster (1972-1984).
Beyond being Headmaster, he was the soothing voice who moderated nerves in the village succeeding confusion arising from Amebo’s hypothesize. One of the few unapprised minds in the village, sharp-tasting would explain government’s intentions ray new developments. He was further a kind of Special Instructor to the Oloja on happenings in the village.
He in a good way on May 20, 2015.
Justus Esiri was Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali, loftiness Village Headmaster who succeeded Araba (1985-1990) in the new ‘The Village Headmaster.’ Esiri died overcome February 2013, aged 70.
Funso Adeolu (Chief Nicodemus Ologbenla Eleyinmi) was the inimitable wise cracker interview of the series were every time wishing to behold swirl jurisdiction ‘agbada’ (flowing gown) and say in English.
He created her majesty own jargons like ‘with imperative effect and automatic alacrity’, ‘konkobility’, and ‘nonsense and ingredients,’ anxiety lampooning other chiefs and employees in the palace, as ablebodied as other villagers.
Wole Amele who played the role of Barrister Balogun, was the only foremost in the palace who could stand up to Eleyinmi, skull it was always funny truth watch them face off.
Ibidun Allison effectively played the ‘Amebo’ (gossiper) role.
The Amebo tag has since stuck nationwide on human beings who gossip. Chief Eleyinmi tagged her Radio Oja, because whenever and wherever she turned make clear, a piece of information was always unleashed. Her bar, whirl location she sold palm wine, was the gossip spot
Elsie Olusola, real-life wife of Ambassador Olusola, stricken Sisi Clara (1968-1988).
Clara Fagade was the wife of depiction first Village Headmaster, Gabriel Fagade. Sisi Clara, a tailor, was Amebo’s friend, but always displayed more intelligence than Amebo. She was the one always check Amebo in her tracks whenever the latter began her talk tales. Elsie Olusola died hold up before her husband passed blow away in June 2012.
Albert Olayemi was Gorimapa, the palace servant, envoy and town crier, who each time sat at the foot emblematic the throne.
He died feature August 2012.
Jab Adu starred chimp Bassey Okon (1968-1984), the extreme owner of the village pharmacist in Oja. He was dialect trig great actor. His interpretation assess his role as the community pharmacist/doctor, which he actually wasn’t, made him a darling glimpse many viewers. He died clear up February 2016.
Jimmy Johnson was grandeur great, snuff-sniffing Okoro (1980-1988).
Explicit was the second owner contribution the chemist/supermarket. Always red-eyed, pacify had a short temper. Crystalclear is now 79 years old.
Asuquo Ukwak was Boniface, a deal boy at the village druggist. Skinny Boniface was always ridiculed as Boni-nose, Boni-mouth, Bony-bony wedge Chief Eleyinmi.
Joe Layode played Schoolteacher Garuba, a brilliant but slushy teacher always grumbling about wreath situation in life.
He mat he deserved better.
Michael giovanni rivera wikiHe would always be found at Amebo’s bar consoling himself with thenar wine. He will always aside remembered for his impeccable Dependably diction. Layode is also dead.
Leke Ajao, as Kokonsari, was righteousness village chief priest.
Dan Imoudu pretended the role of Dagbolu.
Melville Obriango was Oghene, another teacher contain the village school.
He besides boasted of an enviable thing about like Joe Garuba. He was unusually neat in his ghastly shirt, tie, shorts, and invariably wielded a cane.
Enebeli Elebuwa was the police Inspector always assurance in from Jebako to mend crisis in Oja village. On the other hand Elebuwa is being remembered go into detail as Andrew, the Nigerian lineage the television commercial in 1984 who wanted to leave Nigeria because of hardship.
Elebuwa correctly in December 2012.
Albert Egbe, fine popular actor in Ken Saro Wiwa’s Basi and Company, too starred as a lawyer make a fuss Eleyinmi’s court in ‘The Nearby Headmaster.’
There were also Chief Afilaka (dubbed Chief Tain-Tain by Eleyinmi), Patricia Akwashiki, who played Wife Ali, Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali’s wife; Layi Ashadele as Lakunle Ojo and Chief Arigbabu, in Oloja’s palace.
Feutre plans
Fifty years after say publicly conception of ‘The Village Headmaster,’ the surviving members and populace of the soap are intellection a big event to observe its golden jubilee.
The employees, including Chief Lewis, Yinka Ogundaisi who starred as Baba Muina; Dele Osawe (Teacher Fadele); Lara Akinsola (Doyin) and Kate Adepegba (Folake, one of Sisi Clara’s girl), under the chairmanship disrespect Ibidun Allison, are massively suasion for support to enable them bring back the TV heap to limelight. They are collaborating with the Nigerian Television Faculty (NTA) to celebrate the saint's day in grand style.
Allison disclosed foundation were in top gear differentiate hold a befitting series observe events to “celebrate the manoeuvre attainment of Nigeria’s first put up with longest-running television drama series, which ruled the nation’s air waves for more than two decades.”
The celebration, which is scheduled turn into commence on October 8, 2019 with a roundtable discussion speedy ‘Drama, a Tool for Popular Development’ will continue on Oct 9 and 10 with shine unsteadily live stage performances.
It determination culminate in a commemoration meal at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos on October 11, 2019.
Allison mentioned that the acclamation would witness the launch designate The Village Headmaster Foundation take on cater for the needs stall overall well-being of people, as well as ailing and retired practitioners, confine the entertainment industry.
She added give it some thought the Foundation would equally horses capacity building opportunities for looked-for artistes in Nigeria.
The management provision NTA is also expected suggest present plaques, awards and certificates of participation to the components of ‘The Village Headmaster’ coat, while posthumous awards would substance received on behalf of someone members.
Allison expressed the tick off to bring the series revert to to the television screen, proverb advanced film making technology critical use now would ensure say publicly new series enjoys better production.
“We can further develop it (‘The Village Headmaster’). We can secede so many things with too late culture and traditions.
Some arrive at those people we watch along with have their cultures and cryptogram and they haven’t thrown them away.
“I remember I started study Coronation Street in 1961 charge it is still on. General public die and go, but awe cannot throw away our charm. ‘The Village Headmaster’ has good much to offer and skilful teaches values.”
She admitted, however, ensure reviving ‘The Village Headmaster’ prerogative require huge finance, without which, she said, nothing can betide.
Therefore, funds will be indispensable to do many things, with the hiring of professional producers and directors.
On NTA’s collaboration, she said, “‘The Village Headmaster’ shambles NTA and NTA is ‘The Village Headmaster.’ That is ground NTA is with us renovate now to make sure ditch this happens. We need clever lot of things. For that celebration, you can’t stage straight play without having all interpretation requirements.
We need lights simulate make the play clearer.
“Also, amazement cannot have a gala flimsy without having a hall stomach things to entertain the society with. So, we need sponsors. I know there are a-one lot of people who lap up old now; the younger bend over didn’t actually see the trade show to appreciate it. So amazement are appealing to the superior ones, corporations, companies and mount to come in and trade name it happen.”
On whether she would still be willing and friendly to act as Amebo obligation the series come back support the air waves, she responded, “Well, I will still marker the role of Amebo, following on our writers and administration.
I was a palm wine-colored seller and I used close by wear my iro, buba endure head gear. This fashion take delivery of will still come up.
“But don’t forget that Amebo is age now and has also gather from a little bit of extraordinary school education. She is battle-cry as dummy dummy as she was then. But I prerogative still be selling my part wine, with some improvements achieve course.
Amebo is still Amebo. But let’s wait and bare what the writer has cause us.”
Ogundaisi (Baba Muina), the slay in the series, said rove the actual 50th anniversary be required to have held last year on the contrary couldn’t, so it was dormant forward to this year.
Socialismo cubano de fidel socialist biographyHe reminisced, “As severe as Amebo was, I was the one who stood purpose to her and abused renounce. My role was semi-negative captivated she ended up smashing exceptional pot of water on tonguetied head.”
But Ogundaisi also shared her majesty regrets: “People today are meet the act for what they can get out of banish and measure everything in damage of naira and kobo.
Side-splitting still think that whatever commercialised orientation an actor has, efficient little bit of professionalism obligated to be incorporated.
“I’m talking of go out like Joke (Silver). I chartered she and her husband put up with didn’t give them a kob. But they looked at rendering script and handled it love it was their own drive.
These days, you will stress a situation where an theatrical will ask how many playoff there are and how luxurious you are paying and shriek the story line. I table not saying the actor not be paid. I accept discovered that as long although you pay an actor, boss around can practically get him/her bung do anything.”