Checkmate (Nigerian TV series)

Last updated

Checkmate
Created by Amaka Igwe
Country of origin Nigeria
Original languageEnglish
Production
Production companyMoving Movies
Original release
Network NTA
ReleaseApril 4, 1991 (1991-04-04) [1]  –
1994 (1994)

Checkmate is a Nigerian television serial that ran from Thursday, April 4, 1991 [2] to 1994, created by Amaka Igwe and sponsored by Lever Brothers Nigeria. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] It starred Ego Nnamani, Francis Agu, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, Mildred Iweka, Kunle Bamtefa, and Richard Mofe Damijo [4] [7] [9] [10] Set in Lagos, the story focuses on the Haatrope family, the enemies determined to destroy their business and legacy, and their friends and associates. Checkmate is seen in the show's opening credits, where a chess player's king is directly attacked by an opponent's pawn, making escape impossible.

Contents

The show's opening and ending theme is Ron Goodwin's main theme for the 1964 war film 633 Squadron , [11] [12] and the main character - Ann Haatrope - is loosely based on Queen Amina of Zaria. [13]

Plot

Ann Haatrope (Ego Nnamani, and briefly Yomi Davies) returns to Lagos from America with her brother Richie (Bob-Manuel Udokwu) to discover the family's infrastructure and investment firm, Haatrope Investment, is on the brink of collapse due to older brother Benny's (Francis Agu) incompetence caused by alcoholism and sloth. Benny is also violent towards his wife, the equally nefarious Tonye (Edyth-Jane Azu) who does not approve of her husband's siblings living under their roof, and is particularly horrid towards Nana Kofo (Ruth Osu), the elderly Ghanaian housekeeper who has served the family for years. With their father Richard Sr. critically ill back in America and Richie lacking experience, Ann is determined to restore the company's reputation and fight off competition from scheming rivals, most notably the unscrupulous Segun Kadiri (Richard Mofe-Damijo) who bears a long-time grudge towards the Haatropes. He blames them for his descent into childhood poverty following his mother's death, and has sworn vengeance.

Ann's best friend, banker Ada Okereke (Mildred Iweka), is married to school teacher Nduka (Bimbo Manuel), but the couple face several problems including their class difference (Ada is the daughter of wealthy parents while Nduka is from a more humble background), Nduka's jealousy, and Ada's inability to conceive. Ada is later revealed to be an osu which infuriates Nduka's mother (Obiageli Molube) who refuses to accept an 'untouchable' as her daughter-in-law, and is on a mission to break up the couple. Nkemji (Uche Mobuogwu), an uncouth teenager from family friend Peace Fuji's village, is brought into her son's home as his new spouse but Nduka, who would later work for Haatrope Investment, rejects her as he loves his wife dearly. Nduka is also jealous of the friendship between his wife and her old university boyfriend Kunle Ajayi (Paul Adams), a Haatrope Investment employee with unrequited love for his boss Ann.

Serial womaniser Chief Fuji (Kunle Bamtefa), a board member at Haatrope Investment and close friend of Segun, is head of a dysfunctional family which consists of numerous children and his two warring wives Mama Moji (Toun Oni) and Peace (Pauline Njoku). Fuji flaunts his status as a wealthy polygamist, but shuns his financial responsibilities towards his offspring to the chagrin of his spouses, mistresses, and girlfriends including the daughter of his machete-wielding tenant Alika (Victor Eze). The situation is not helped when Fuji marries Ireti (Sola Onayiga), a trainee caterer who comes under fire from the rest of the Fuji clan for her sophisticated cuisine which does not suit the family's simpler tastes. The hypocritical Fuji continues his womanising but remains a strict disciplinarian with his children who are forbidden from leaving the house without permission or dating.

University lecturer Monday Edem (Zulu Adigwe and later Norbert Young), is notorious for sleeping with his female students in exchange for high grades, but continuously denies accusations when confronted. His long-suffering wife Eno (Tammy Abusi) continues to support him, but becomes increasingly frustrated. Their son Akpan (Tunde Euba), Richie's best friend since secondary school, is a student at the university also ashamed of his father's antics and is tired of defending him. Akpan soon finds himself in the middle of a raging rivalry between the institution's two main secret cults after he takes an interest in Remi (Yetunde Olorunfunmi), the reluctant girlfriend of hot-headed gang member Banky (Kevin Ushi). With both father and son facing the wrath of their enemies on campus, the Edem family's safety constantly comes under threat - his younger brother is stabbed, his sister nearly raped, and an altercation with Banky's gang nearly costs Akpan his eyesight. He later joins rival cult The Jets, and the arrival of a mystery relative believed to be the professor's secret daughter throws the Edems into further chaos.

Cast

Legacy

Checkmate has been hailed as part of the "golden age of television in Nigeria", prior to the Nollywood home-video boom of the mid-1990s. [3] [7] [15] [16] [17] Several of these alumni were associated with this and went on to achieve success in the film era.

In 2001, nearly seven years after the serial ended, Checkmate became one of the few Nigerian shows to produce a spin-off - Fuji House of Commotion - a sitcom centred around Chief Fuji's dysfunctional family.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian Television Authority</span> Nigerian government-owned partly commercial broadcaster

The Nigerian Television Authority or NTA is a Nigerian government-owned and partly commercial broadcast station. Originally known as Nigerian Television (NTV), it was inaugurated in 1977 with a monopoly on national television broadcasting, after a takeover of regional television stations by military governmental authorities in 1976. After declining interest from the public in government-influenced programming, it lost its monopoly over television broadcasting in Nigeria in the 1990s.

<i>Living in Bondage</i> 1992 Nigerian film

Living in Bondage is a 1992/93 Nigerian two-part drama thriller film directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and sponsored by Jafac Wine. The film was shot straight-to-video, and starred Kenneth Okonkwo and Nnenna Nwabueze in their breakout roles. It is regarded as the first Nigerian home video which achieved blockbuster success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi</span> Nigerian actress

Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi born Abibat Oluwafunmilola Aofiyebi and also known as FAR, is a Nigerian actress. She appeared in the film The Figurine, Tinsel and MTV Shuga.

<i>Violated</i> (1996 film) 1996 Nigerian film

Violated is a 1996 Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Amaka Igwe and starring Richard Mofe Damijo and Ego Boyo. The film and its sequel, Violated 2, were released in the home video format in June 1996.

Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu is a Nigerian actor, movie director, producer and politician. In 2014, he received the Lifetime Achievement award at the 10th Africa Movie Academy Awards. He was nominated for Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards for his role in Adesuwa.

<i>30 Days in Atlanta</i> 2014 film by Robert Peters

30 Days in Atlanta is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film written by Patrick "Koinage" Nnamani, produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters. The movie was shot in two locations in Lagos and Atlanta. It premiered on 31 October 2014. It was recognized as the highest-grossing film of all time in Nigerian cinemas in 2015, although the film was met with mixed critical reviews.

Yemi Shodimu is a Yoruba dramatist, television presenter, film director and filmmaker.

Robert Peters sometimes credited as Roberts O. Peters is a Nigerian film producer, director, cinematographer, actor, and occasional voice-over artist. He is best known for directing the 2014 Nollywood breakout movie 30 Days in Atlanta, as well as the movies Shades of Attractions (2015), Boxing Day (2016) and A trip to Jamaica (2016) which featured: Ayo Makun, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe Damijo, Vivica Fox, Dan Davies, Lynn Whitfield, Eric Anthony Roberts, Paul Campbell, Funke Akindele, Karlie Redd, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Desmond Elliott, Rasaaq Adoti, and Chet Anekwe amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Ugo Omokhodion</span> Nigerian actor, model and filmmaker

Felix Ugo Omokhodion is a Nigerian actor, model and filmmaker. He is best known for his role in the 2006 Tajudeen Adepetu produced television series One Love, as well as his portrayal of the character Tubosun in the movie Celebrity Marriage, which also co-starred Tonto Dikeh, Jackie Appiah, Kanayo O Kanayo, Odunlade Adekola, Toyin Abraham and Roselyn Ngissah, for which he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor Male at the Zulu African Film Academy Awards 2018, which held in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ego Boyo</span> Nigerian film producer and actor (born 1968)

Nwakaego (Ego) Boyo is a Nigerian actor, producer, executive producer and creative entrepreneur who is popular for her role as Anne Haatrope in the early 90s soap, Checkmate. She is the founder and Managing Director of Temple Productions, Temple films and Temple Studio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francis Duru</span> Nigerian actor

Francis Duru is a Nigerian actor who in 2007 received the United Nations Ambassador of Peace award for his positive influence on the youths. In 2010, Duru was appointed as the interim president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and also in the same year was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

Uche Mac-Auley, also formerly known as Uche Obi Osotule, is a Nigerian writer, film producer and a veteran actress. Was born on 6 June 1971.

Made in Heaven is a 2019 Nigerian romantic drama film directed by Toka McBaror and produced by Darlington Abuda. It features Nollywood's Richard Mofe Damijo, Jide Kosoko, and Nancy Isime, Ayo Makun, Toyin Abraham, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Lasisi Elenu, former Big Brother Naija housemate - Kemen, and others. The film shows its central characters seeking spiritual help in their daily lives.

<i>Rattlesnake</i> (1995 film) 1995 Nigerian film

Rattlesnake is a 1995 Nigerian action film written and directed by Amaka Igwe and produced by Austin Awulonu. It was Amaka Igwe's first foray into making a feature length film and was made in 3 parts. It features Francis Duru, Okechukwu Igwe, Nkem Owoh, Anne Njemanze and Ernest Obi.

<i>Seven</i> (2019 Nigerian film) 2019 Nigerian film

Seven is a 2019 Nigerian crime action thriller film directed by Tosin Igho and produced by tosin igho & Bryan Dike. The film stars Efa Iwara, Richard Mofe Damijo, Bimbo Manuel, Daddy Showkey, Patrick Diabuah, Uche Nwaefunam, Sadiq Daba. It was released on 29 November 2019 and premiered on Netflix in 2019.

Unbreakable is a Nigerian Romantic film about a husband who had to deal with the mental issue of his newly married wife. It was produced by Buky Campbell, directed by Ben Chiadika and written by Sola Osofisan. It was shot in October 2018 in Lagos.

References

  1. ↑ "How Amaka Igwe made me a star – Bob Manuel-Udokwu". Vanguard News. May 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Bob-Manuel Udokwu". Modernghana.com. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Emeagwali, Gloria (Spring 2004). "Editorial: Nigerian Film Industry". Central Connecticut State University. Africa Update Vol. XI, Issue 2. Archived from the original on November 27, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Almost 2 Decades after the end of Checkmate, Nigerian Superstar Richard Mofe Damijo returns to TV on Tinsel, BellaNaija; June 24, 2011 at 8:24 pm.
  5. ↑ A Flashback On Nigeria TV Series and Soaps, May 11, 2013. Leadership, (Abuja) Nigeria. Hosted on Allafrica.com (requires subscription or registration).
  6. 1 2 Trends in Nollywood: A Study of Selected Genres. By Ayakoroma, Barclays Foubiri
  7. 1 2 3 Nollywood kills Nigeria’s Television Drama. Vanguard Nigeria, June 12, 2011, 12:00 am.
  8. ↑ "Amaka Igwe nee Isaac Nene". ama-awards.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  9. ↑ Where Are They Now? January 19, 2001; P.M. News, (Lagos) Nigeria. Hosted on Allafrica.com (requires subscription or registration).
  10. ↑ See Adaora Nwandu: Amaka Igwe: THE MATRIARCH OF NOLLYWOOD. Archived April 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine April 30, 2014; AdaoraNwandu.com.
  11. ↑ "CHECKMATE Episode 1" . Retrieved February 4, 2021– via YouTube.
  12. ↑ "633 squadron theme". October 19, 2010. Retrieved February 4, 2021– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ Nigeria: Mourning a Legendary Screen Icon
  14. ↑ Husseni, Shaibu (April 17, 2018). "Binta Ayo Mogaji: Sterling stage and screen actress Sambas on and off the turf". Guardian. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  15. ↑ How Nollywood is Killing Nigerian Television Archived April 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , by Uche Nworah
  16. ↑ "How Nollywood is Killing Nigerian Television". modernghana.com. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  17. ↑ "#ThrowBackThursday: Checkmate • Connect Nigeria". connectnigeria.com. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.