‘Village Headmaster’ cast plan Golden Jubilee
Some of the surviving members of the cast and crew of the ‘Village Headmaster’ in collaboration with the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and other stakeholders, are planning a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the legendary TV drama series.
In the release signed by one of the cast, the secretary of the planning committee, Mr. Dele Osawe, (Teacher Fadele), said October 2018 will be 50 years when the series debuted.
Speaking on what the series meant to bonidng families and communities, the release said, “Presently, history has been relegated to the background. Our culture has been bastardized. Corruption is worshiped and glorified in different forms. We have lost our past glory of honesty, integrity and cultural pride.
“In the time past during the series, families were united under one roof on Sunday and Thursday evenings. Families were reminded of our village cultural background. After all, communities started as villages, where traditions and cultures played tremendous roles in our life. Consequently, colonial masters tapped into our administration and introduced indirect rule, which served as a dangerous weapon that was used to cow down our royal fathers and turned them to toys in the hands of political administrators of today. Corruption took over and reduced us to a society of Naira worshipers instead of God worshiper both in the churches and mosques.”
The cast and crew advocated for the return of the production because of “the role this legendary drama series played in the life of the people in the past, and what it will now do, if it is brought back to the present day viewers.”
Created by late Chief Segun Olusola, the statement noted that VHM but was packaged, produced and directed by Sanya Dosunmu (now His Royal Majesty the Olowu of Owu), who with the cooperation of his friends such as Ted Mukoro, Demola James, Fela Davies, Alex Akinyele, Nelson Olawaye, Alan Aroyewu and others wrote the first 13 episodes of this legendary TV drama programme.
The series was based on, “The Headmaster of Oja Community School is a prime move of cultural evolution. The Headmaster is a Western-educated and knowledgeable personality. He who is always guiding Kabiyesi and the Chiefs of Oja Society as development sneaks into the village. Amebo, in her rumour transmissions explains the importance of information and communication in a virile society. Bassey Okon/Okoro depicts queer personality in our society who is to be tolerated and patronized.
“The politicians of Oja Village, such as councilor Balogun and Bamishe all believed in our culture and tradition and as a result it is possible for Kabiyesi to put them under control and corruption is equally put under check,” the statement read.