By By Elsie Udoh
Growing up, Nollywood gave the 90’s and early 2000s children something to come home to with entertaining and iconic soap operas.
Soap operas’ screen time was mostly the only chance young ones had to gather around the black and white TV box to watch motion pictures with the adults.
These moments stood out as fun and worth reminiscing with exciting shows and unforgettable theme songs (I bet you remember, “this is super story, a life of strife and sorrow…”).
Since it doesn’t hurt to be nostalgic once in a while, why don’t we relieve some worthwhile soap operas that made childhood the best together?
Papa Ajasco
Remember Boy Alinco with his funny-looking glasses and striding steps, Miss Pepeiye with her supposed style, and of course Papa Ajasco with this shirt and wrapper as well as his hitting of the head and muttering, “ojigbijigbijigbi” (whatever that meant).
Papa Ajasco, a production by Wale Adenuga, was a great source of unending laughter in the 1980s. The programme featured other actors that added to its comedy like Mama Ajasco, Bobo Ajasco, Pa James, and Pa Jimoh.
Fuji House of Commotion
There was always one commotion or the other to look forward to in this yet another comedy show which was produced, directed and written by the late Amaka Igwe. If it wasn’t ‘Peaceless Peace’ (Ngozi Nwosu) causing a scene with the other wives, then it would be Ireti torturing her family with her overbearing cooking skills.
The appearances of comedic prowess like Kunle Bamtefa served viewers shades of smiles on a platter and depicted perfectly the dramatic experience of living in a polygamous home.
Super Story
This programme, which premiered with the episode ‘Oh Father Oh Daughter’ played by Sola Shobowale who featured as Toyin Tomato, was a huge success and left viewers with high expectations of what was to come next.
Also produced by Wale Adenuga, Super Story was a novel format that drew the interest of the Nigerian audience for 21 years. Every new season was a unique story featured on the lives of middle-class Nigerians. Other popular seasons of the show included, ‘One bad apple’, ‘No pain No gain’, etc.
I Need to Know
This featured the appearance of popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele as Bisi.
The TV show which was aimed at young people focused on the lives of seven secondary school students through adolescence and centred on teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.
Binta and Friends
This programme focused on ‘Binta the good girl’ and comprised many lessons on the importance of not compromising and being oneself. It gave young children much to learn from.
In one of the episodes, Madam Gagoo married Binta’s father which added to the chills of the programme. If you remember this character, you should be married with kids.
Nnenna and Friends
This programme which was a spin-off from Super Story was one of Nigeria’s biggest TV programmes.
It focused on educating and entertaining children.
Things Fall Apart
This film adaptation of the Chinua Achebe classic novel ‘Things Fall Apart’ featured Veteran actor Pete Edochie as the film lead who portrayed the character of the irrepressible Okonkwo.
The adaptation was a great achievement and starred other actors like Justus Esiri, Sam Loco Efe, and Nkem Owoh.
Everyday People
This exclusive programme focused on the lives of middle-class Nigerians and featured the appearance of the late Sam Loco Efe who delivered comedy to viewers and was also a custodian of knowledge and wisdom.
Other actors like Carol King, Ify Onwuemene, Seun Soremi, Juliet Martin-Abazie, and Ignis Ekwe also starred in the movie.
Ripples
This 1990s programme produced by Zeb Ejiro, the famous Sheikh of Nollywood, ran for five uninterrupted years.
Ripples was a delight to viewers as the appearance of Ngozi Nwosu as Madam V-Boot provided comic relief for viewers. The TV series gave veteran Actress Genevieve Nnaji her first TV role.
Other actors featured included Alex Usifo Omiagbo, Yetunde Idowu, Late Sam Loco Efe, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Larry Williams, Barbara Soky, Keppy Bassey Ekpenyong, Segun Arinze, the late Jennifer Emeka-Ossai, Olisa Adibua,
Checkmate
Last on the list is a Sunday night special which was created and written by the late Amaka Igwe and held Nigerians spellbound for three years.
Checkmate was the tale of the aristocratic family Haatrope trying to survive attacks from enemies both inside and outside of the family. It also touched on societal issues such as cultism and polygamy.
The soap opera introduced many to Ego Boyo, the late Francis Agu, Norbert Young and the charismatic Richard Mofe Damijo who played the role of Segun Kadiri.
