K.O.K., Mercy Johnson, Funky Mallam star in ‘Prof. Johnbull’

Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mercy Johnson and Funky Mallam are part of the cast for the new TV drama series, ‘Prof. Johnbull.’

 Kanayo plays lead character as Prof. Johnbull of the Globacom sponsored programme, set in Nigeria’s south-east with Johnson, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Ime Bishop Okon, Queen Nwokoye and Junior Pope among the cast.

 Kanayo, according to a release, has described his new role as “pleasantly challenging” as he tries to interpret the character famous for his use of grandiloquent English.

 He said: “It feels so fulfilling playing the lead role Prof. Johnbull. I feel honored to be chosen to interpret this role.

 “It’s a huge challenge, in-fact it is one role I see as being too technical for me to play, technical because the high-sounding grammar the character speaks is that which you must have to research, and that means you have to keep on rehearsing yourself every day,” he said.

 Johnson who also spoke during rehearsals in Enugu said the series will have a huge impact on society because it is a social satire which is meant to teach and entertain at the same time.

 Speaking on her role, she said: “My role is a comic character called Caro, an illiterate girl who sells oranges but finds favour with the professor’s daughter who then convinces her dad to make this orange seller a part of the family.”

 She also said: On her experience so far, Johnson declared: “I feel extremely honored to feature in the series. I feel privileged and special and I’m honestly grateful for the opportunity because it’s a huge platform for me to step into other places and broaden my horizon.”

 Nwokoye who plays, Elizabeth, Prof. Johnbull’s daughter, said: “‘Prof. Johnbull’ is the first-of- its-kind here in the south-east. Trust me, viewers would always dash home to watch every edition, because I’m sure they wouldn’t want to miss it, even for a minute.”

 Fash-Lanso said he was pleased about the series’ theme which he said would promote peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

 He said: “The drama series has a mixture of characters from different cultures and background in Nigeria. For instance, I play the role, Olaniyi, who is a southerner; Funky Mallam plays the role, Mallam Doya, a northern character, as well as other characters who are easterners.”

  “I don’t feel out of place switching from the Yoruba genre to play a role in the Eastern drama series. Glo for me has always been a pacesetter; the company’s contribution to the entertainment industry in this country is unparalleled coming up with this idea is quite remarkable,” he said.

 Comedian Funky Mallam, said: “I’m feeling at home here in Enugu. The location is just warm and friendly. My role is Mallam Doya, a Hausa man who sells yam. The concept of the drama series is a nice one. I believe viewers will be glued to their T.V screens.”

 Tchidi Chikere, director of the series, said the concept of developing ‘Prof. Johnbull’ as a TV drama series was praiseworthy. He said the series had a lot of benefits for the viewing public especially the emphasis on peaceful co-existence among the different tribes in Nigeria.