‘Exquisite language, iconic cast hallmarks of Glo-sponsored Professor Johnbull’

 
After the broadcast of 26 exciting episodes of the Glo-sponsored television satire, “Professor Johnbull”, Nigerians have commended the drama series for its unique themes, intriguing language and iconic cast of show-stopping thespians, concluding that the programme is the most thought-provoking sitcom in the country.
From the first episode titled “Claimant” to the 26th dubbed “Speak the word”, the cameo appearances by highly respected comedians like Ayo Makun (AY), Helen Paul and Bovi as well as celebrated musicians such as Flavour, Ego and MI in addition to Nollywood icons such as Patience Ozokwu, Sani Denja, Victor Osuagwu and Odunlade Adekola amongst others imbued the production with a nationalistic fervor that enriched the narratives.
An Epe-based transporter, Mr. Segun Oguntuga described Professor Johnbull as his favourite television programme adding that “… since I stumbled on the second episode of Season One, I had become a faithful fan of the programme. I usually rush home every Tuesday evening to catch the programme which has been pleasantly surprising me by featuring my favourite artistes. I don’t want to miss the programme because you never know which star would feature on the next episode. My best episode so far is the one that featured Flavour, the Nabania crooner”.
For Abuja based Chinwoke Chikaleke, Mercy Johnson who stars as Caro is the cynosure of the drama series.  “I am just in love with everything she does on the programme in spite of  her poor knowledge and delivery of English. “I was apologizes to you”, “Shaarrappu” and her refrain “Professor Sir!” She is simply mind-blowing, as she makes me to laugh all through the period the programme lasts”, he said.
Another respondent, Ofem Oto, a Calabar-based teacher picks the lead character, Kanayo O. Kanayo as his favourite because of his poly-syllabic words and prescience. His words: “The character Prof Johnbull reminds me of the character “Benja-benja” with Ajimajasan theatre group whom we watched in the 70s when I was growing up in Ibadan. Unlike Benja-benja, Prof. Johnbull is well dressed and speaks grammatically correct English and popular Latinate and French expressions like “mon dieu” and “piripararan”.
The germane themes treated in the 26 episodes are what the trio of Abeokuta-based journalist, Tolu Fakeye, Ibadan domiciled lawyer, Sina Raji and Sagamu-based town planner, Mrs. Ranti Adebogun find compelling in Professor Johnbull. In the words of Mrs. Adebogun, “the first episode I watched was “Kitchen on the run” which featured Ego Ogbaru amongst other members of the cast. It mirrored what I was going through then by combining home-making with my demanding profession. Surprisingly, I found Professor’s conclusions informative and it helped to lighten my plight.”
“The titles of the episodes are informative, ingenious and speak for themselves. “Selfie stick” examines the new fad and its dangers while “Half bread and puff-puff” criticizes the act of marrying one wife in Nigeria and others abroad. “Voice of the City” chronicles the ills of irregular power supply, “Oil windfall” is a parody of the sharp practices prevalent in the restive  oil industry and “Ekeresimesi” advises against borrowing to celebrate festivals and ceremonies,” observed Tolu Fakeye.
“What excites me most about Professor Johnbull is the quality of its production. Tchidi Tchikere, the producer, is a guru. To be complemented by the famous Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) is an added bonus for us, the viewers. The picture and sound qualities are top-notch. Finally, airing it on NTA is also music to my ears rather than keeping up with the Joneses by joining the DSTV bandwagon”, declared Sina Raji.
Other regular acts like Yomi Fash-Lanso (Olaniyi), Imeh Bishop(Etuk), Stephen Odimgbe (Flash), Bimbo Akintola (Ufoma), Mercy Johnson Okojie (Caro), Queen Nwokoye (Elizabeth), Funky Mallam (Mai Doya) and MC 4 God (Abednego)  deployed their skills and talents to the unraveling of the various themes which culminated in the overall success of the drama series.