by Augusta Okon
Last week, we began a series on literary adaptations to screens in Nigeria. We gave you a snippet of the adaptations that happened in the 1970s, today, we will continue with the 1980s and 1990s. Let’s dive.
Cry Freedom (1981)
Adapting Meja Mwangi’s novel “Carcase For Hounds” based on the mau mau struggle, Ola Balogun produced/directed and wrote the screenplay for the movie “Cry Freedom” starring Albert Hall, Candy Brown, Roberto Pisillo and Olu Jacobs. It tells the story of the struggle for freedom from the British colonialists and the attendant oppression led by the guerrilla leader, Haraka, who also resists some of his countrymen working for the British colonialists.
Efunsetan Aniwura (1981)
An adaptation by Ishola Ogunsola of the 1970 historical play“Efunsetan Aniwura, Iyalode Ibadan” authored by Akinwumi Isola, (originally in Yoruba which was translated into English by Pamela J. Olubunmi Smith in 2006). The movie was directed by Bankole Bello with Tunde Kelani as the Director of Photography. It stars Iyabo Ogunsola, Isola Ogunsola, Samson Eluwole, Bankole Bello and Lere Paimo. It tells the story of the rich, powerful Yoruba heroine, Efunsetan Aniwura, the second Iyalode (Queen of Women) of Ibadan who was very influential. She lost her baby during child birth and became ruthless to her slaves. Sadly, she was murdered.
Ìrèké Oníbùdó was written by D.O Fagunwa, published in 1949 and translated as “The Fabulous Adventures of a Sugarcane Man” by Femi Osofisan. It was adapted for film and produced by Bayo Aderounmu and co-directed by Tunde Kelani in 1982. There was also an episodic screen presentation of the novel directed by Tunde Alabi- Hudeyin as part of the telly drama on OGTV in 1983. The story unveils Ireke’s journey from grass to grace.
Papa Ajasco (1983/1997)
Based on one of the characters (Papa Ajasco) in his popular magazine “Ikebe Super” which kicked off in 1976, Wale Adenuga directed, produced the spin off movie and released “Papa Ajasco” in 1983. It hit N61,000 in three days making it one of the most successful films of that time. In 1997, it aired as a TV series “The Ajasco Family” which was later renamed “Papa Ajasco and Company”. In October 2024, it was once more rebranded as “Papa Ajasco and Company: Gen Z Papi” to appeal to the teeming youths.
Ina (1985)
As a newbie in independent film-making, having graduated from the London International Film School in the 70’s, Tunde Kelani adapted Adebayo Faleti’s novel “Idaamu Paadi Minkailu” (The Dilemma of Rev Father Michael). The screenplay was written by Lola Fani-Kayode, one of the popular TV producers in the country at that time.
Things Fall Apart (1987)
An adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s 1958 novel of same title in 1987 into a TV series (13 episodes) with a duration of 50 minutes per episode by Adiela Onyedibia and Emma Eleanya. It was broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network. Directed by David Orere, it stars Pete Edochie, Nelly Uchendu, Nkem Owoh, Justus Esiri, Funso Adeolu, Sam Loco Efe. Shooting took place in Anambra state (Oraifite, Isu awaa in Awgu, UNN) and was a delight to watch.
Jagua Nana’s Daughter (1980’s)
The TV adaptation of Cyprian Ekwensi’s best seller by Albert Egbe in the 1980’s. It tells the story about the protagonist’s (Liza’s) distressing search for her real mother whom she eventually finds alongside a partner. Albert Egbe was known for his lead role as Mr B in the now rested 1980’s hit sitcom “Basi and Co”.
Magana Jari Ce (late 80’s to early 90’s)
Sequel to writing Ruwan Bagaja, Alhaji Abubakar Imam joined the Translation Bureau, where he wrote Magana Jari Ce (The Art of Speech Is a Capital Investment) which recaptures inspiring stories from these sources using Hausa narratives. Published in 1937 in three volumes, it is composed of about 87 stories narrated dominantly by Aku, a parrot, and later its colleague, Haziƙ. The author had been inspired to use the parrot and storytelling techniques from a Persian book. According to Abdalla Uba Adamu, stories which could be found in the volumes include;
a) Nine stories from Thousand and One Nights
b) 2 stories from the Indian collection Panchatantra
c) 2 stories from a Persian version of the Indian collection Sukasaptati
d) 1 story that is of Persian origin
e) 14 fables from the Brothers Grimm
f) 2 fables from Hans Andersen
g) 7 short stories from Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
h) 1 based on a Biblical story (from Old Testament)
i) 1 based on a Greek myth about the king of Macedona
j) 1 based on a fable by W. Hauff
k) 34 stories were either original or derived from unknown sources
The TV adaptation of Magana Jari Ce aired on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) network in the late 80’s to early 90’s to a highly receptive audience. Late Kasimu Yero was one of the characters therein.
Mister Johnson (1990)
An adaptation of the 1939 novel of same title authored by Joyce Cary. It was produced by Maynard Eziashi. Nigerian doyen of the stage and movie (Hubert Ogunde) featured in the film as Brimah, (father-in-law to the lead character, Mister Johnson). Sadly, Ogunde died within days of filming his final scene and the end credits acknowledged his assistance with the production of the movie. Directed by Bruce Beresford, it stars Pierce Brosnan (who later played the role of James Bond 007), Maynard Eziashi, Beatie Edney, Tunde Kelani, Albert Egbe, Sola Adeyemi, Femi Fatoba, Bella Enahoro, and Nick Reding.
It tells the story of an African civil servant, Mister Johnson, who works as a clerk in the office of the British district administrator. He adopts the British style of life seeing himself as an English man without realizing that the British laws in Nigeria were enacted to protect the British and not Africans. Principal photography began on 15th January, 1990 and was filmed entirely in Nigeria. In this vein, let’s also not forget 1963’s “Culture in Transition” which incorporates into its framework the shortened version of Soyinka’s stage play, “The Strong Breed” which was directed by Bart Lawrence.
Omenuko Igwegbe (1993)
First Igbo novel by Pita Nwana published by Longman, London in 1933. Ukagu, Onwuneme, Ogbuagu (2023) in their study “Pita Nwana’s Omenuko: A classic Igbo novel Par Excellence” contend that though S.U.Obi claims Ala Bingo by D. N. Achara was first published in 1933 but O.R. Dathorne contends it was published in 1935 after winning a prize in All African literary contest in indigenous African languages organized by the International Institute for African languages and culture that same year. Omenuko was translated into English by Prof Ernest. N. Emenyonu in 2014.
The story is woven around the life and times of Igwegbe Odum, (Omenuko) who lived in Arondizuogu. A prosperous popular Igbo trader, he goes on a self- imposed exile after selling his apprentices and some of his kinsmen as slaves due to frustration, one which was regarded as a heinous crime against the people and the gods of the land. He later returns due to circumstances beyond his control and is said to have died around 1940.
It was adapted into an Igbo language movie as Omenuko Igwegbe in 1993 by producer Geoffrey O.C. Ike and directed by Marcel Emecheta. Movie towed the episodic path on Nwaticha TV on YouTube and stars Geoffrey O.C. Ike, Whiteman Douglas, and Paulson Kalu, among others. The late Onyeka Owenu in 2008 sought to adapt the novel into a screenplay with the intention of making it a film alongside professionals Dickson Iroegbu and Mazi Uche Ohia. Sadly, the plan failed due to the said huge monetary demands from Omenuko’s descendants.
Kòseégbé (1995)
It is based on Akinwumi Isola’s 99 paged novel of same title published in 1981 by University Press Limited and adapted to film by Tunde Kelani. It tells the story of Mako, an intelligent and highly principled customs officer who steps into the shoes of a dismissed corrupt senior official. Indeed, he tries to purge the system of the rot but meets a tough resistance from corrupt junior officers. Fed up of the saint, they conspire to have him dismissed and set plans in motion. He is framed for illicit behaviour but finally turns the tide around with their confession. It was produced/directed by Tunde Kelani and stars Kola Oyewo, Wole Amele, Jide Kosoko and Toyin. A. Babatope.
O Le Ku (1997)
An adaptation by Tunde Kelani of Prof. Akinwumi Isola’s 1974 novel of same title published by Oxford University. It unveils Ajani, a final year student at the University, who is caught in a love triangle with Asake, Lola and Sade. It’s a hard choice deciding who will end up being his life partner based on the pressure from his mum to settle down. It stars Yemi Shodimu, Feyikemi Abodunrin, Pauline Dike, Omolola Amusan, Lere Paimo and Kola Oyewo. The movie was powered by the use of Oleku, a knee-length Iro and buba.
Sango: The legendary African King (1997)
It is an adaptation of Duro Ladipo’s play “Oba Ko So (The king did not die) published by Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan in 1968, having first been performed in Osogbo in 1963. The movie was produced by Afrika’n Vogue/Even Ezra Studio in Lagos and directed by Obafemi Lasode in 1997. The 160 minutes movie stars Wale Adebayo, Peter Fatomilola, Racheal Oniga, Antar Laniyan, Jimi Sholanke, and Kola Oyewo. It recounts his ascension to the throne as the fourth Alaafin (king) of Oyo empire, his exploits, battles and his transformation to a deity.
The White Handkerchief (1998)
Bayo Adebowale’s debut novel “The Virgin” published in 1985 was adapted into a 17 minutes short film produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It stars Yemi Komolafe, Yemi Shodimu, Khabirat Kafidipe, Sola Asedeko, and Idowu Philips. It tells the story of Awero, a young lady from Orita Village, who gets forcefully deflowered by someone she trusts. She decides to marry her childhood love, Odejimi, from Agbede village all the while perturbed about the secret.
As tradition demands, he must show the waiting villagers a white handkerchief stained with blood, a sign of purity and honour, to his highly respected family on their wedding night. However, the contrary takes place, and the Agbedites won’t stomach such an insult. War is what Awero’s people deserve for sending them an impure bride, and war is what they’ll get!
Saworoide (1999)
An adaptation of Akinwunmi Isola’s book of same title, it is a political satire produced and directed by Tunde Kelani. It unveils Jogbo town where the new king, Lapite cleverly avoids partaking in the ritual of the Saworoide (a brass drum), embraces corruption with some of his chiefs, turns a blind eye to the cries of his people, and becomes a tyrant in order to retain power. However, he bites more than he can chew and pays the price with his life.
It stars Kola Oyewo, Lere Paimo, Bukky Wright, Larinde Akinleye, Peter Fatomilola, Kunle Bamtefa, Adebayo Faleti, Kayode Olaiya, Doyin Hassan, Kunle Afolayan, Jab Adu and Kabirat Kafidipe.
The Twins of The Rain Forest (1999)
An adaptation of Neville. M. Ukoli’s 66 paged play of same title which was published in 1968 by Longman of Nigeria. For the screen, it was written and produced by Albert Egbe, directed by Odion P. Agboh, Tunde Kelani was the director of photography while Mnet’s Richard Green was the Executive producer. Shot in ’97 and aired in ’99, it stars Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, and Jude Orhorha. The 28 minutes drama tells the story of a mother who gives birth to twins which are abhorred by tradition and must die by drowning. The family refuses to tow that path and forces the community to confront their own values.
…to be continued
Augusta Òkon is a Film adaptation advocate, story teller, Film Critic, lawyer, and author. She has served as member of the screening panel for AMAA, Inshort International Film Festival and Jury member, Lekki International Film Festival.
