Checkmate is a Nigerian television serial that ran from Thursday, April 4, 1991 to 1994, created by Amaka Igwe and sponsored by Lever Brothers Nigeria. It starred Ego Nnamani, Francis Agu, and Richard Mofe Damijo Set in Lagos, the story focuses on the Haatrope family, the enemies determined to destroy their business and legacy, and their friends and associates. Checkmate is seen in the show's opening credits, where a chess player's king is directly attacked by an opponent's pawn, making escape impossible.

The show's opening and ending theme is Ron Goodwin's main theme for the 1964 war film 633 Squadron, and the main character Ann Haatrope is loosely based on Queen Amina of Zaria.

Plot

Ann Haatrope (Ego Nnamani, and briefly Yomi Davies) returns to Lagos from America with her brother Richie (Bob-Manuel Udokwu) to discover the family's infrastructure and investment firm, Haatrope Investment, is on the brink of collapse due to older brother Benny's (Francis Agu) incompetence caused by alcoholism and sloth. Benny is also violent towards his wife, the equally nefarious Tonye (Edyth-Jane Azu) who does not approve of her husband's siblings living under their roof, and is particularly horrid towards Nana Kofo (Ruth Osu), the elderly Ghanaian housekeeper who has served the family for years. With their father Richard Sr. critically ill back in America and Richie lacking experience, Ann is determined to restore the company's reputation and fight off competition from scheming rivals, most notably the unscrupulous Segun Kadiri (Richard Mofe-Damijo) who bears a long-time grudge towards the Haatropes. He blames them for his descent into childhood poverty following his mother's death, and has sworn vengeance.

Ann's best friend, banker Ada Okereke (Mildred Iweka) is married to school teacher Nduka (Bimbo Manuel), but the couple face several problems including their class difference (Ada is the daughter of wealthy parents while Nduka is from a more humble background), Nduka's jealousy, and Ada's inability to conceive. Ada is later revealed to be an Osu which infuriates Nduka's mother (Obiageli Molube) who refuses to accept an 'untouchable' as her daughter-in-law, and is on a mission to break up the couple. Nkemji (Uche Mobuogwu), an uncouth teenager from family friend Peace Fuji's village, is brought into her son's home as his new spouse but Nduka, who would later work for Haatrope Investment, has no interest in her as he loves his wife dearly. Nduka is also jealous of the friendship between his wife and her old boyfriend Kunle Ajayi (Paul Adams), a Haatrope Investment employee who has unrequited love for Ann.

Serial womaniser Chief Fuji (Kunle Bamtefa), a board member at Haatrope Investment and close friend of Segun, is head of a dysfunctional family which consists of numerous children and his two warring wives Mama Moji (Toun Oni) and Peace (Pauline Njoku). Fuji flaunts his status as a wealthy polygamist, but shuns his financial responsibilities towards his offspring to the chagrin of his spouses, mistresses, and girlfriends including the daughter of his machete-wielding tenant Alika (Victor Eze). The situation is not helped when Fuji marries Ireti (Shola Onayiga), a trainee caterer who comes under fire from the rest of the Fuji clan for her sophisticated cuisine which does not suit the family's simpler tastes. The hypocritical Fuji continues his womanising but remains a strict disciplinarian with his children who are forbidden from leaving the house without permission or dating.

University lecturer Monday Edem (Zulu Adigwe, and later Norbert Young) is notorious for forcing his female students to grant him sexual favors in exchange for their graduation, but denies the accusations when confronted. His long-suffering wife Eno (Tammy Abusi) continues to stand by him, but becomes increasingly frustrated.

Their son Akpan (Tunde Euba), Richie's best friend since secondary school, is a student at the university who is also ashamed of his father's antics and tired of defending him. Akpan soon finds himself in the middle of a raging rivalry between the institution's two main secret cults after he takes an interest in Remi (Yetunde Olorunfunmi), the reluctant girlfriend of hot-headed gang member Banky (Kevin Ushi).

With both father and son facing the wrath of their enemies on campus, the Edem family's safety constantly comes under threat - his younger brother is stabbed, his sister nearly raped, and an altercation with Banky's gang nearly costs Akpan his eyesight. He later joins rival cult The Jets, and the arrival of a mystery relative believed to be the professor's secret daughter throws the Edems into further chaos.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkmate_(Nigerian_TV_series)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w3f9o4JcmQ

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Who are those who remember this series with nostalgia? Blessed are you.For you must not have been of the indomie generation.

Bob Manuel is still his old self till date.Wonder if he is still acting again.

Alright

Old good days
When we have real actors and actress
Not like now our ndustry is full with olosho's

Don't have much memories of the programme, because as a child, it was on my parent's list of 'Television shows that were verbotten for ever'.

A list that did not change as I entered teenagehood. Immediately the strains of the show came on, my mama would switch off the television and announce that it was time for evening prayers. With my papa's approval.

Checkmate was really massive. All the Nollywood big wigs were in it: Bobmanuel, KOK, RMD, Kunle Bamtefa, Francis Agu, Ego Boyo, Amaka Igwe (Director), Andy, etc.
My best characters should be:
Nduka. His life mirrors what couples go through when they can't have a child after a few years of marriage. His mother even had to bring a village girl for him from the village.
Susan Hastrop (Ego Boyo) was so beautiful. I don't even listen to what she says; i just sit there admiring her beauty.
Akpan and his campus life was also an interesting part for me then. I'd always imagined what life in the university was like.
Chief (Fuji House) was the undiluted comedy section of the show.

CHECKMATE WAS THE BEST!

checkmate every sunday. when nigeria was doing ok without buhari

My uncle spotted...


How time flies.

Not for the indomie generation

Noted

Great memories. A must watch back then

I was born 93" so I don't know This

Omg.... I remember Nkemji the Village girl that said 'Lagos is full of fry over ' instead of fly over. Checkmate was one soap opera that was just captivating then. We had very few of them by that time though, however, they were very meaningful and had something to teach

Not forgetting FORTUNES, another soap that had us glued to our seats every Sunday evening. That was the unfolding moment of Ramsey Noah, Regina Askia,Liz Benson, Pat Attah etc. Really good old days.
Sometimes I wish we could turn back the hands of time. Solid content was aired on television then.

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ok

Checkmate......
This is vintage...

When Ego Boyo was still young and sweet. When Nigeria TV was entertaining, not now u have useless agbada thieves blocking the TV screen

Ok

Lol

Now NTA is now so useless even Gotv has it as its only free channel. To make matters worse, We still won't watch it for free.

How time flies

Nigeria is a retarded country. At least, in our current world quest, as days goes, tech evolves, things gets better, Nigeria of the old is better than today.
Imagine, what the country is reduced to now.
Who do us?

Heard of it but never watched.

. . . Fortunes . . .

Indomie generation stay clear out of this thread