After a 34-year break, The Village Headmaster, a must-see television drama series across the country in its heyday, returned on April 24. Written by Olusegun Olusola, now deceased, and directed by Dejumo Lewis, it was Nigeria’s longest-running TV drama series shown on the national television network from 1968 to 1988.
Set in a fictional Yoruba village called Oja, the show dealt with a variety of subjects, including social problems and the effect of government policies on the community. The cast reflected different ethnic groups in the country, and communicated in Nigerian Pidgin, Standard English and Yoruba language. It was a studio-based programme that promoted unity in diversity.
There had been efforts to bring back the show before now, but there were issues, including contention over copyright, that got in the way of its return.
It is commendable that the programme has finally returned, as a result of collaboration between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Wale Adenuga Productions (WAP). This partnership involving the government-owned television network and the private production company demonstrates what is possible.
Also laudable is the role of Globacom, the telecommunications service provider that is involved in the sponsorship of the TV series. Describing it as “iconic,” the company said it “remains unmatched and unparalleled in the annals of Nigeria Television.” Globacom also said the programme “has undergone a spectacular makeover by Wale Adenuga’s WAP TV.” For a company that says it is “committed to excellence,” its involvement suggests that the viewing public should expect an excellent show.
Indeed, the new programme is significantly different from the old one. The show has not only been revived; it has been reinvented. Importantly, it has been taken out of the studio and now has an outdoor rural setting that gives it greater realism.
Some members of the original cast are in the new programme, notably Dejumo Lewis (Kabiyesi), Ibidun Allison (Amebo), Dan Imodu (Dagbolu), and Dele Osawe (Teacher Fadile).
