TINAPA, CALABAR (AUGUST 15, 2013) Viewers on the continent of Africa are in for a really exciting and hilarious time on TV as one of EbonyLife TV’s much anticipated comedy drama series, Ojo’s in D’House, begins showing on the pan African Channel.
L-R: Odenike Odetola-Odeleye (Nicole Ojo); Najite Dede (Elizabeth Ojo); Taiwo Arimoro (Samuel Ojo) and Jude Chukwuka (Tafaa Ojo) on the set of Ojo’s in D’House.
Ojo’s in D’House centres on the flamboyant excesses of Mrs. Elizabeth Ojo, the matriarch of a nouveux riche family that has recently moved from a lower middle class neighbourhood into a new, upper class vicinity. In the story, the entire Ojo family has to cope with the constant commotion that usually results from Mrs. Ojo’s compulsive obsession with the pursuit of social acceptance and her relentless attempts at trying to prove to her new neighbours and friends that she is of high social standing, in spite of her ordinary background.
The bubbly drama reveals how Mr. Tafaa, Elizabeth’s down-to-earth husband; Samuel, her mischievous son; and Nichole, her nerdy daughter, all have to always be on their toes as they continue to be forced into being part of the schemes Elizabeth hatches in pursuit of social recognition. Sometimes, these attempts get her into awkward and embarrassing situations that end up being too hot to handle for her, like ending up on the cover of a notorious tabloid magazine after a bad makeover and much more.
However, the Ojo’s are not the only ones who have to contend with Elizabeth’s needless excesses. Mrs. Williams, the Ojo’s standoffish neighbour is not excited about Elizabeth being her new neighbour and tries all she can to avoid her; but over the course of a few months, to her dismay, she finds herself increasingly in Elizabeth’s well intended but disastrous visits, parties, and functions. Mrs. Williams usually ends up having to deal with one form of embarrassment or the other as a result, like a running stomach, silently enduring a horribly cooked meal, and witnessing an awkward birthday party.
All said and done, Elizabeth’s can-do spirit and supportive family always see her through these discomforting situations, although a trail of haphazard projects, abandoned hobbies and irate neighbours are left in the wake of things.
The compelling drama which now shows every Tuesday at 9:30pm on EbonyLife TV, Channel 165 on DStv, is proudly sponsored by telecommunications giant, MTN, and stars Najite Dede as Elizabeth Ojo, Jude Chukwuka as Tafaa Ojo; with Taiwo Arimoro as Samuel Ojo, Odenike Odetola-Odeleye as Nicole Ojo. Funmi Eko plays Mrs. Williams while Bassey Ekpenyong plays Bitrus Pambot Nankut.
Najite Dede (Elizabeth Ojo); Funmi Eko (Mrs. Williams) on set.
According to Quinty Pillay, Head of Scripted Programming, EbonyLife TV, “The cast and story lines of Ojo’s in D’ House will make you scream with laughter and compel you to call your friends, ensuring they are watching too. Our cast is so true to life that you will wonder if the Ojo’s are YOUR next door neighours. Better keep your doors locked and ensure Elizabeth Ojo doesn’t rope you into her world of wonderful, well intended but disastrous visits, parties and functions. I bet you, this is a light-hearted and delightfully funny series, an absolute must-see!”
For Series Writer, Ayoade Adeyanju, “Ojo’s in D’House inspired me because I worked with top-class creative minds. Each episode is a reflection of our different experiences as Africans and our rich sense of hunmour.”
“This show is witty and extremely funny yet warm with memorable characters”, said Series Producer, Ijeoma Agukoronye. “Africa will look forward to inviting the Ojo’s into their homes each week for 30 minutes of great television.”
For Najite Dede (Elizabeth Ojo), “Shooting ‘Ojo’s in D’House’ was an amazing experience because everybody from every part of Nigeria was represented in the cast and crew. We had a common goal, endured obstacles, had bad days and good days, but we got it done. When it was completed, it was beautiful. The programme is about Nigeria and what can be accomplished. Whenever we come together for a common goal, we make beautiful things happen.”
According to Jude Chukwuka (Tafaa Ojo), “Ojo’s in D’House is the best thing that will ever happen to television in my generation.”
“It was quite an experience working on the project. I look forward to seeing how all the pieces come alive”, commented Funmi Eko (Mrs. Williams).
Taiwo Arimoro (Samuel Ojo) believes “Ojo’s in D’House was an experience that taught me that I had to be disciplined as an actor and I enjoyed every second of it.”
“Ojo’s in D’House is original and creative,” said Bassey Ekpenyong (Bitrus). “Working on it was mentally and physically tasking, but we were able to produce a fine work of art.”
For Executive Producer of Ojo’s in D’House and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, “Ojo’s in D’House, like everyone of our original homegrown programme, is created by those who love television entertainment programming just like our viewers. We are pleased to be showing yet another exciting homegrown content to our viewers across the continent. We will continue to deliver upscale programming that makes great statements about who we are as proud and exciting Africans.”
EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment Channel, is in its second month of broadcast and Ojo’s in D’House now joins other exciting and original flagship programmes on the channel currently enjoying viewership in 44 African countries and receiving rave reviews internationally.
