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| Kanayo O. Kanayo as Professor Johnbull |
The episode titled Baby and Bomboi lampoons the idea of the
superiority of the male child to the female ones in the African traditional
setting. The sitcom ridicules the bias and prejudice against the girl child and
its effect on the society at large.
Athanasius (Stan Kamandi), who is informed of his wife’s
delivery of a baby girl takes to his heels, trying to abdicate his paternal
responsibilities. He seeks refuge in Olaniyi’s restaurant where he hides
himself from his family. When Athan’s in-laws consult Professor Johnbull for
advice, he sends out a search party to fetch Athan to explain himself.
Caro, who appears on the scene in Olaniyi’s restaurant to
buy ‘nkwobi’ for the professor, is engaged in a discussion with the
restaurateur, Olaniyi. Olaniyi is aghast with Caro’s ‘bad English’ and asks if
she ever went to school. Caro explains to him that her father never sent her to
school, but sent her brother because he believed that female children needed no
education.
Caro discovers Athan’s hideout and
spreads the news, first by informing Mai Doya (Funky Mallam), in spite of pleas
from Olaniyi not to squeal. Caro rues the notion held in most families that
female children are useless and insignificant. She reveals to the professor
that it is the topic at Olaniyi’s restaurant.
The episode climaxes when Professor
Johnbull leads a search party to Olaniyi’s restaurant where Athan is found. He
chides Athan for his irresponsible behavior, citing eminent personalities such
as Hilary Clinton, Christiane Amanpour and Patience Ozokwor as women who have
achieved success in life. He advises Athan to return to his family and take up
his responsibilities.
The theme of gender equality is well
projected in this episode. The idea of preference for male children to female
ones is ridiculed. This episode imparts salient messages such as the need for
due diligence in all we do.
The sitcom teaches societal values
and plot and the storyline is commendable.
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