Caveatemptor:


Great job Naptu2.
You brought back memories of my childhood. The Village headmaster ran on NTV on Sunday's at 8 'o clock in the evenings. Of course television stations closed at 12midnight and resumed at 4 pm in the evenings the next day so The Village headmaster was prime time television before the news at 9pm.
My whole family would gather around our JVC black and white 20 inch television with wooden sliding doors to watch the grainy pictures and pray ECN(PHCH) would not strike until the programme ended.
And I am talking about the original series with Ted Mukoro as headmaster,Elsie Olusola as Sisi Clara, Ibidun Allison as Amebo,Joe Layode as teacher Garuba, Layi Ashadele as Ojo Yewuge, and Jab Adu as Dr Bassey Okon.
I hope you are aware that in the original series there was no Kabiyesi Ajelende or Chief Elenyinmi, they were characters later added as the series progressed. And if I remember correctly Bassey Okon daughter in the first few episodes was called Ekaette.

Once again nice one .

Yeah, I know that the Oloja and Eleyinmi were added to the show later (I indicated that in my writeup), but that was in the first series (the first series ran from 1968-1984. The second series ran from 1985-1991).

[quote author=Floyd45 post=52593103][/quote]

Unfortunately I don’t have any video with Laraba in it. I'm still searching for videos of my aunt.

Caveatemptor:
And the gongs that heralded the beginning of the programe.
Gbagan!
Gbagaun!!
Gbaun!!!
It was like it was a summons to come and watch and share in a story about a village that was a mirror of Nigeria.
Once again thanks to Naptu2.

There's a video online that has the theme song. I'll search for it.

Orlando Julius also did his own interpretation of the theme song (using the lyrics that children made up to accompany the talking drum). I'll search for that too.

Caveatemptor:
And the gongs that heralded the beginning of the programe.
Gbagan!
Gbagaun!!
Gbaun!!!
It was like it was a summons to come and watch and share in a story about a village that was a mirror of Nigeria.
Once again thanks to Naptu2.

Village Headmaster (Composed and performed by Kehinde Okusanya) c1968

(from 6:43 in the video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvpzx1L4s88


Orlando Julius - Village Headmaster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdr1kbOlj4M

naptu2:


Unfortunately I don’t have any video with Laraba in it. I'm still searching for videos of my aunt.

. sad. I remember i checked youtube a couple of times to see if i'll catch a glimpse of her but no luck.
Good luck with your search bro..

naptu2:


Yeah, I know that the Oloja and Eleyinmi were added to the show later (I indicated that in my writeup), but that was in the first series (the first series ran from 1968-1984. The second series ran from 1985-1991).

Good one man.
Thanks once again.

naptu2:


Yeah, I know that the Oloja and Eleyinmi were added to the show later (I indicated that in my writeup), but that was in the first series (the first series ran from 1968-1984. The second series ran from 1985-1991).

Hope you remember the episodes where Chief Elenyinmi and teacher Garuba conspired to overthrow the Oloja Ajelende and Headmaster Ife Araba.
It was a reflection on Dimkas coup against General Murtala Muhammad in 1976.
That was when the Military government of General Obasanjo started using the series to play politics.
By the time the New Village headmaster became a political megaphone lots of people began to lose interest.

Mrtolotolo:
Omo oni rice tide
Omo oni rice tide..
Alake.. Alake.. omo oni rice tide..

And that's the lyrics!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdr1kbOlj4M

Caveatemptor:


Hope you remember the episodes where Chief Elenyinmi and teacher Garuba conspired to overthrow the Oloja Ajelende and Headmaster Ife Araba.
It was a reflection on Dimkas coup against General Murtala Muhammad in 1976.
That was when the Military government of General Obasanjo started using the series to play politics.
By the time the New Village headmaster became a political megaphone lots of people began to lose interest.

I originally planned to create this thread a year ago, but I never had the time until now. That was in my original draft that I wrote a year ago.

It became a government propaganda tool in the mid '80s and people lost interest in it. Then came soap operas like Mirror In The Sun, Ripples, Behind The Clouds and Supple Blues, which took the shine off it.

In order to be able to compete, the producers introduced the character of the returnee prince and tried to make it a bit more like the other soap operas, but it was too late.

naptu2:


I originally planned to create this thread a year ago, but I never had the time until now. That was in my original draft that I wrote a year ago.

It became a government propaganda tool in the mid '80s and people lost interest in it. Then came soap operas like Mirror In The Sun, Ripples, Behind The Clouds and Supple Blues, which took the shine off it.

In order to be able to compete, the producers introduced the character of the returnee prince and tried to make it a bit more like the other soap operas, but it was too late.

Propaganda killed the Village headmaster.
The New village headmaster and the new Masquerade became tools of propaganda in the hands of the Military governments of the day.
Each new military government used these programs of the people to express their fake government policies and as such killed interest in the programmes.
The military killed the Daily Times too.
Sad.

Caveatemptor:


Propaganda killed the Village headmaster.
The New village headmaster and the new Masquerade became tools of propaganda in the hands of the Military governments of the day.
Each new military government used these programs of the people to express their fake government policies and as such killed interest in the programmes.
The military killed the Daily Times too.
Sad.

I always use Daily Times as an example of the damage that government ownership can do.

Daily Times was the biggest newspaper in Nigeria! I mean, they owned West Africa Magazine (the only international magazine by Africans and for Africans) !

They published Drum and Spear magazines, had Evening Times, Times Leisure Services, Miss Nigeria, etc. It was the best newspaper!

But by the early 1980s it had become an "obituary newspaper" (that's what we called it). I convinced my dad to stop buying Daily Times because there was nothing in it but obituaries. No news.

Caveatemptor:


Very correct.
Iyanda was the palace messenger before he traveled out and returned to the New Village headmaster as Lawyer Iyanda and put the Chairman of the Oja village customary court right on a lot of his archaic judgements. The chairman of the Oja customary court was Chief Elenyinmi,whose hands were always hidden under his flowing agbada gown.
Nostalgia.
Naptu2, your threads always stir memories. Thank you sir.

You're old

Caveatemptor:


Propaganda killed the Village headmaster.
The New village headmaster and the new Masquerade became tools of propaganda in the hands of the Military governments of the day.
Each new military government used these programs of the people to express their fake government policies and as such killed interest in the programmes.
The military killed the Daily Times too.
Sad.

With respect to Village Headmaster, I could clearly see what the problem was. This was a gripping and exciting story, with very good writers and actors.

When you are watching TV or a movie, you want to be lost in the story. You want to be so caught up in the story that you are not even aware of what's going on around you (which is what Village Headmaster used to do).

But you are suddenly jolted back to reality when an actor suddenly delivers a long and boring speech about family planning or vaccination or something like that. And it's clear that that speech was not put in there by the writer. It's incongruous with the style of the show.

AS I WAS WATCHING THOSE PICTURES
I WISH I CAN SEE THE KIND OF ATMOSPHERE OF THOSE DAY THE UNCORRUPTED ATTITUDE ENVIRONMENT THE KIND OF FEAR & LOVE AMONG BRETHREN THOSE DAYS its well with Nigeria
Less I forget THIS IS BEST EVER POSTED ON THIS PLATFORM WELDON.

naptu2:


I always use Daily Times as an example of the damage that government ownership can do.

Daily Times was the biggest newspaper in Nigeria! I mean, they owned West Africa Magazine (the only international magazine by Africans and for Africans) !

They published Drum and Spear magazines, had Evening Times, Times Leisure Services, Miss Nigeria, etc. It was the best newspaper!

But by the early 1980s it had become an "obituary newspaper" (that's what we called it). I convinced my dad to stop buying Daily Times because there was nothing in it but obituaries. No news.

Very true sir.

The government of he day killed a lot of things.

I would love to see a return of this series

naptu2:
Characters


19) Lawyer (played by Albert Egbe). I also can't remember his screen name, but I think he handled cases in Eleyinmi's court.

Albert Egbe later acted in Jagua Nana's Daughter and was the first Basi in Basi And Company.

Aha! I've remembered his name! Lawyer Odunuga.

naptu2:


Yeah, I know that the Oloja and Eleyinmi were added to the show later (I indicated that in my writeup), but that was in the first series (the first series ran from 1968-1984. The second series ran from 1985-1991).

68 to 84? are you sure of that?

masseratti:
68 to 84? are you sure of that?

Yes.

The first series ran from 1968-1984. It was produced by Segun Olusola. It was stopped in 1984. However, there was a demand by viewers for the revival of the show.

Almost a year later, NTA introduced The New Village Headmaster (the second series) which was produced by Dejumo Lewis.

naptu2:


Yes.

The first series ran from 1968-1984. It was produced by Segun Olusola. It was stopped in 1984. However, there was a demand by viewers for the revival of the show.

Almost a year later, NTA introduced The New Village Headmaster (the second series) which was produced by Dejumo Lewis.

okay, would love to see the 1st series am. Pretty sure i missed part of those, there should be a YouTube video of it or something.

masseratti:
okay, would love to see the 1st series am. Pretty sure i missed part of those, there should be a YouTube video of it or something.

That's what we were discussing earlier on the thread.

I'm searching for videos of that first series. My aunt acted in it, my uncle worked on it, I have memories of it and I'd like to see if my memory is accurate. But I haven't been able to find any videos. (One of the reasons I created this thread is to answer some questions that were in my head, eg, who is Iluyomade? What was the name of the first lawyer? Etc).

There's a rumour that the NTA recorded over all the tapes of the series. However, I found an audio recording of the first series and I posted it earlier on this thread.

naptu2:


That's what we were discussing earlier on the thread.

I'm searching for videos of that first series. My aunt acted in it, my uncle worked on it, I have memories of it and I'd like to see if my memory is accurate. But I haven't been able to find any videos. (One of the reasons I created this thread is to answer some questions that were in my head, eg, who is Iluyomade? What was the name of the first lawyer? Etc).

There's a rumour that the NTA recorded over all the tapes of the series. However, I found an audio recording of the first series and I posted it earlier on this thread.

that's sad same thing bbc did with doctor who.

naptu2:


And that's the lyrics!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdr1kbOlj4M

Lolz
Thought nobody would notice that..

Oga can you create a thread about tv series, cartoons, shows,etc of the 80s and 90s..
You are the master in this..

@Op, thanx. I watched it while in Primary school. How can I get it on CD?

The village headmasters

Ted Mukoro as Gabriel Fagade (headmaster 1968-1972).




Femi Robinson as Ife Araba (headmaster 1972-1984).


Justus Esiri as Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali (headmaster 1985-1991).

naptu2:
Characters

1) Kabiyesi, The Oloja of Oja, Oba Adelende the 2nd (played by Dejumo Lewis). Early 1970s-1990. He was the king of the village. I loved the way that he said "Moi People" (my people) and the way he ascended the steps to his throne. He would climb up the steps, reverse back down, climb up again, reverse again and climb up a third time before sitting on the throne. He often settled disputes in his palace and was the main authority figure in the village. He was a very wise King.

2) Headmaster, Mr Gabriel Fagade (played by Ted Mukoro) 1968-1972. He was the first village headmaster.

3) Headmaster, Mr Ife Araba (played by Femi Robinson) 1972-1984. He was the second village headmaster (and my first village headmaster). He often had to clear up the misconceptions of the people, especially about new government policies, technology or new developments in the town. He was always a voice of reason and he was often the one who helped to restore sanity after Amebo's rumours had caused confusion in the village. There were many episodes that ended with the headmaster explaining to the Oloja how the crisis in the village was started and advising him on how such problems could be avoided in future.

Femi Robinson later hosted Shopper's Guide on NTA2 Channel 5 (1984-1987).

4) Headmaster, Mr Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali (played by Justus Esiri) 1985-1990. He was the headmaster throughout the second series. I remember the first episode in which he appeared. The storyline was that Mr Ife Araba was transferred to Jebaco and Mr Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali was transferred from Jebaco to Oja. He had a wife (whose screen name I can't remember, but, in real life, she served as a minister in Goodluck Jonathan's administration), a very beautiful daughter called Laraba and a relative called Doyin. One of the first episodes of the second series (New Village Headmaster) revolved around friction between Laraba and Doyin. Laraba also got a lot of romantic proposals from the teachers in Oja, especially teachers Garuba and Oghene, but she wasn't interested in any of them. I think Mr Garuba had an affair with Doyin, but I can't remember for sure.



Mr Aderibigbe Ali and Chief Eleyinmi.

5) Chief (Nicodemus Ologbenla) Eleyinmi (played by Funsho Adeolu). Early 1970s - 1990. This was one of the most interesting characters on the show. He was the second in command to the Oloja (sort of like a prime minister or vice president of the village). He was also the president of the customary court. He had a lot of bombastic catch phrases like, "with immediate effect and automatic alacrity", "konkobility", "nonsense and ingredients", etc. He also created nicknames for many of the characters in the village (some of which were not very flattering).

He was a force for good and often helped the Oloja to solve the problems of the village.

Funsho Adeolu later became an oba in real life.



Chief Eleyinmi.


6) Councillor Balogun (played by Wole Amele). Early 1980s-early 1990s. Councillor Balogun was an over-ambitious politician, whose ambition usually led to crisis in the village. He was often at loggerheads with the palace, but often ended up apologising to the Oloja.

He was fond of challenging Chief Eleyinmi's position (because he felt that he was more important than Eleyinmi) and whenever Councillor Balogun was pleading with the Oloja for mercy, Eleyinmi would advocate that Councillor Balogun should be punished severely for the problems that he caused in the village.

Councillor Balogun was also probably the richest person in the village.

Wole Amele, who played the role of Councilor Balogun, later became an oba in real life.

7) Amebo (played by Ibidun Alison). She is the village gossip and bar owner. Chief Eleyinmi often called her "Radio Oja". She is usually well intentioned, but she's not well educated and she often stumbles on information that she doesn't quite understand, misinterpretes it and spreads her misinterpreted story all over the village. This often leads to crisis and confusion.

Amebo would often quietly enter the palace while an important discussion is going on and she would sit down unnoticed. Then, after a while, Eleyinmi would notice her and immediately stop speaking. He would call her "Radio Oja" and rain his humorous and indirect insults on her. She would protest to the Oloja, who would stop Eleyinmi from teasing her. Then Eleyinmi would suggest that they continue their discussion later (when Amebo is not around). But it's already too late, Ambo has already heard and misunderstood part of what's being said.



Amebo's bar.

8 ) Sisi Clara (played by Elsie Olusola). 1968-1988. Clara Fagade was the wife of the first village headmaster, Gabriel Fagade. She was Amebo's friend, but she was much smarter than Amebo (she had native intelligence). She would often rebuke Amebo when she starts gossiping. Sisi Clara was a businesswoman, but I can't quite remember what her business was (I think she was a seamstress).
I was in awe of this woman. She proved that what teachers and parents said was not true. Parents and teachers often tried to stop kids from speaking pidgin English, because they believed that it would impair the child's ability to speak proper English, but Chief (Mrs) Elsie Olusola spoke the sweetest Waffi when she was in character and spoke flawless Queen's English in real life.

9) Gorimapa (played by Albert Olayemi). Gorimapa was the palace servant, messenger and town crier. He was known for his close-shaven head and he often sat at the foot of the throne. Chief Eleyinmi called him, "Gorimapa Adorin Sahara Desert" (while rubbing Gorimapa's shaved head).

10) "Dr" Bassey Okon (played by the great JAB Adu). 1968- c1984. He was the first owner of the village chemist/supermarket. He was a dispenser in Burma during World War 2. He was called "Doctor", even though he wasn't actually a doctor. I loved the way that he exclaimed "Chai! Chai! Chai!"

JAB Adu was one of my favourite actors and it seemed like I had been watching him on TV all my life. I first got to know him from the Village Headmaster and Adio Family in the late 1970s and early 1980s, then he played the lead role in The Turning Wheel on OGTV in the mid1980s. He did a sitcom on a private tv station in the late 1990s (I can't remember the name of the sitcom), then he was on Story, Story - Voices From The Market Place on BBC World Service Radio in the late 1990s and 2000s. He then acted in a few episodes of Tinsel, where he played the part of Fred Ade Williams' doctor and then he acted in Livin' In Lagos (a sitcom) in 2010.

11) Okoro (played by the great Jimmy Johnson). early 1980s- c1988. Jimmy Johnson was the second owner of the chemist/supermarket. He was very fond of his snuff box and people can easily remember the very loud sneezing that accompanied his sessions with his snuff. He also had a short temper.

12) Boniface (played by Asuquo Ukwak). He was the sales boy at the village chemist. Chief Eleyinmi called him, "Boniface, Boni-nose, Boni-mouth". He was unhappy because he felt that he was better educated than his bosses (Bassey Okon and Okoro). An arranged marriage was once organised for him, but he fled when he discovered that his bride to be was a little child.

13) Kokonsari (played by Leke Ajao). He was the village chief priest.

14) Dagbolu (played by Dan Imoudu). I'll use the first episode he appeared in to describe him.

Councillor Balogun was up to his usual mischief and the Oloja and Eleyinmi tried to call him to order, but he brought a powerful socerer called Dagbolu to the palace. A mystic battle ensued between Dagbolu and Kokonsari. Unbelievably, Dagbolu was able to overpower Kokonsari and the Oloja fell ill at the end of the battle.

The Oloja was ill and nobody was allowed to see him. Ambo overhead a conversation about the Oloja's illness, misunderstood it and went to the streets to spread a rumour that the Oloja was dead.

There was confusion in the village. There was a rumour that the Oloja was dead, but palace officials insisted that he wasn't dead, yet nobody could see him. Who would lead the village? Who would provide direction?

Councillor Balogun returned to the palace with Dagbolu , disrespected Eleyinmi and was about to sit on the throne when the Oloja came out of the inner chamber. Dagbolu tried to recite his incantations, but he fainted and then we were reminded that the Oloja was the igbakeji orisa (lieutenant of the gods).

Apologies for any errors. I wrote all of that from memory.

15) Teacher Garuba (played by Joe Layode). He was a pompous, but grumpy teacher, who was unhappy about his position in life (he felt that he deserved better). He often drank away his unhappiness at Amebo's bar.
Teacher Garuba competed with Teacher Oghene for the affections of Laraba and later Doyin.

16) Teacher Oghene (played by Melville Obriango). He was known for his white shirt, tie, shorts and cane. He was a more cheerful teacher than Teacher Garuba and he often got into conflicts with Garuba (who was much older than him). Teacher Garuba was grumpy and did things by the book. He had an exaggerated sense of his own importance. Teacher Oghene was more cheerful and approachable.

17) Policeman (played by Enebeli Elebuwa). I can't remember his actual name in the show (he was always addressed by his title, Inspector). He was the policeman who came down from Jebaco to resolve problems in Oja.

Enebeli Elebuwa was typecast as a policeman in my mind, because he also later played the role of a policeman (Inspector Ben Alamu) in the Turning Wheel.

18) Fathia Okon (played by Roseline Birch). She was "Dr" Bassey Okon's teenage daughter, who helped him in the shop.

19) Lawyer (played by Albert Egbe). I also can't remember his screen name, but I think he handled cases in Eleyinmi's court.

Albert Egbe later acted in Jagua Nana's Daughter and was the first Basi in Basi And Company.

20) Lawyer Iyanda (played by Sam Agbebi). He appeared many years after the first lawyer. The Oloja and Chief Eleyinmi often called him "Baby Lawyer".


Lawyer Iyanda arguing his case in Chief Eleyinmi's court.

21) Chief Afilaka. I've been trying to remember his screen name, but I couldn't until someone reminded me a few days ago. That's because I remember him by the name that Eleyinmi often called him, "Chief Tain Tain".

Chief Afilaka was never seen without a toothpick in his mouth and Eleyinmi labelled him Chief Tain Tain, mimicking the sound that he makes when he is picking his teeth. Eleyinmi didn't like Chief Afilaka because he was richer than him.

22) The Prince (1989-1990). In order to compete with the very popular soap operas like Ripples, Supple Blues and Behind The Clouds that debuted in the late 1980s, producers of Village Headmaster introduced the character of the Prince. He was the Oloja's son who had been in the US for a very long time and suddenly returned to Oja.

23) Mrs Ali (played by Patricia Akwashiki). She was Cosmas Aderibigbe Ali's wife.
Patricia Akwashiki was the last minister of information in the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

24) Lakunle Ojo (played by Layi Ashadele).

There are other people whose names I remember, but I don't remember the roles they played.

25) Iluyomade. There was a character called Iluyomade. I'm certain of it. I remember the Oloja saying the name Iluyomade, but I don't remember what his role was.

26) Chief Aribabu. I also remember that there was someone called Aribabu and that he was always in conflict with Councillor Balogun, but I don't remember anything else about him.

Wow! You tried bro. I had goose bumps all thru as I read your write up on Village headmaster. Thumbs up to you for taking your time to do this. Awesome reminiscence I had. I remember Afilaka being called " Afilaka, Afilegbe" lol

This is a very nice and lovely piece. God bless you greatly.

Mrs Afilaka (Afilaka Filegbe) was played by my mother. She was also a cast of Basi & Company, Adio Family, Ogboju Odę ninu Igbo Irunmole and a host of other series back then. Her stage name back then was Abimbola Kiyomi, now known as Her Majesty Olori Abimbola Akran.

Shinor:
If rumours are anything to go by, then the original tapes have been wiped off by NTA Victoria Island by recording other programmes on them.
Just like the African Nations Cup 1980 (hosted in Nigeria) tapes are no longer available at the NTA studios.

Well, I remember vividly that when my late uncle Amb Segun Olusola turned 70, his son Jimi Olusola and I visited NTA HQ to see if we can get some of the Original series episodes that are still in good condition. What they were able to get were spoilt tapes of the New Village Headmaster. Thank God for Jimmy Atte who was able to locate a copy in his archives.

The NTA has been running adverts about the Village Headmaster for around a month now. The advert features Dagbolu and Doyin. They are planning to celebrate 50 years since the Village Headmaster was first shown.

The celebration will be in October.

sultansegun:


Well, I remember vividly that when my late uncle Amb Segun Olusola turned 70, his son Jimi Olusola and I visited NTA HQ to see if we can get some of the Original series episodes that are still in good condition. What they were able to get were spoilt tapes of the New Village Headmaster. Thank God for Jimmy Atte who was able to locate a copy in his archives.

Jimmy F. Atte had a copy of the original series!

Please, pretty please, upload it to YouTube if you can.

pls can anybody help with the video of the episode where a marriage was arranged for Boniface. and the episode where a possessed girl dealt with the headmaster and others. please i will like to show my kids. i was that little girl

Yehmmisi:
pls can anybody help with the video of the episode where a marriage was arranged for Boniface. and the episode where a possessed girl dealt with the headmaster and others. please i will like to show my kids. i was that little girl

I remember that episode with the arranged marriage for Boniface!

I don't have the videos, but I'll search for them.