Prof Johnbull… A new drama series hits TV screen

Lovers of quality drama production are in for an exciting time, as Prof Johnbull, a new TV drama series sponsored by Globacom, has finally hit the screen. The series is inline with Globacom’s resolve to continue its support for the entertainment industry, which has been identified as a viable sector for the ongoing diversification of the country’s economy.

Shot on locations in Enugu, the series features some of the leading actors in Nollywood, including the lead actor Kanayo O. Kanayo (Prof. Johnbull), Ime Bishop Okon, Mercy Johnson, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Bimbo Akintola, Queen Nwokoye, Junior Pope, and Glo ambassadors, who will also make cameo appearances in the production already showing on NTA Network.

Johnbull tells the story of widower, retired professor and an erudite academician, who relishes using grandiloquent expressions. Named Johnbull Eriweagwuagwu Macathy Macnwigwe and played by Kanoyo, he lives with his engineer son, undergraduate daughter and star-struck wannabe housemaid in an upscale neighbourhood in Enugu, South East Nigeria, where he is. By virtue of his academic and social exposure, which includes but is not limited to a Phd from a foreign university as well as a long lecturing career, he’s the voice and conscience of the people. His house, by virtue of his pedigree, has become a melting pot where people from different segments of the society often congregate to discuss contemporary issues and drink from Professor John Bull’s fountain of wisdom.

Meanwhile, his son Churchill Ikenga Macnwigwe, an engineering graduate, is interested in pursuing a career in music against his father’s wish. His daughter Elizabeth is a year two Psychology undergraduate, who is a dyed-in-the-wool but self-assured replica of her father; she’s close to her father, though generational issues always come up.

On the other hand, Caro is the semi-illiterate housemaid of the family and a great challenge to Elizabeth, who routinely toils to improve her literacy and social construct. Apart from the dramatic events 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; the series explores social satire to shed light on contemporary issues affecting Nigerian youths.

Speaking on the new project that is already exciting viewers, Kanayo O. Kanayo said, “It feels so fulfilling playing the lead role Prof. Johnbull. I feel honored to be chosen to interpret this role. It’s a huge challenge, in-fact it is one role I see as being too technical for me to play, technical because the high-sounding grammar the character speaks, is that which you must have to research, and that means you have to keep on rehearsing yourself every day.”

Mercy Johnson, another Nollywood star featuring in the series, said “Prof. Johnbull drama series will have a huge impact on the society. She described the series as a social satire that will teach and entertain at the same time. It will teach the society as well as entertaining them,” she said.

She further said, “The drama series, I’m sure, will help to correct the ills in the society. I mean the South Eastern audience will really enjoy it a lot. My role is a comic character called Caro, an illiterate girl, who sells oranges but found favor in the professor’s daughter who convinced the dad to bring her in to be part of the family.”

On her experience on the set of the production, Mercy said, “I feel extremely honored to feature in the series. I feel privileged and special. I feel like Glo ruling my world and I’m honestly grateful for the opportunity because it’s a huge platform for me to step into other places and broaden my horizon.”

Yomi Fash-Lanso, Another Nollywood actor, who played the character, Olaniyi, a southerner who runs an “Nkwobi joint” and is so fixated about making money, stated that the drama is educative and entertaining, adding that it would enlighten the people of Eoutheast and South-South in particular and Nigerians in general on the need for peaceful co-existence.

“The drama series has a mixture of characters from different cultures and background in Nigeria. For instance, I play the role, Olaniyi, who is a Southerner; Funky Mallam plays the role, Mallam Doya, a character who is a northerner and there are other characters who are Easterners.”

He commended Globacom for coming up with the concept, adding, “Glo for me has always been a pacesetter; the company’s contribution to the entertainment industry in this country is unparalleled. They have always been at the forefront of entertainment,” he noted.

Queen Nwokoye, who played Elizabeth, the daughter of Prof. Johnbull, also expressed support for the social satire.

“Prof. Johnbull is the first-of-its-kind here in the South-East. Trust me, viewers would always dash home to watch every edition, because I’m sure they wouldn’t want to miss it, even for a minute.”

One of the numerous popular actors on set, Funky Mallam, said, “I’m feeling at home here in Enugu. The location is just warm and friendly. My role is Mallam Doya, a Hausa man who sells yam. The concept of the drama series is a nice one. I believe viewers will be glued to their TV screens”.

Speaking on the project, the producer Tchidi Tchikere, commended the development of Prof. Johnbull as a TV Drama series and also pointed to the numerous merits of the sitcom, part of which is the emphasis on peaceful co-existence among the different tribes in Nigeria.

The first episode of the series, which recently premiered on air, focuses on the ugly trend of impersonation of successful Nigerian celebrities by fraudsters, who exploit the star power of super stars to make fast cash and enjoy other perquisites.

In this episode, popular musician Dbanj is rumoured to be in Enugu for a show. A student known as Makuachukwu Ilodibe inordinately seized the opportunity to impersonate the Koko Master and hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public including Professor Johnbull and a popular restauranteur, Olaniyi Olanipekun who was the most gullible. Due to his striking resemblance to Dbanj, Ilodibe has a field day mesmerising his victims.