Hanging Out With My Flatmates

It began with an innocuous ‘competition’ notice on Instagram: “Get a chance to hang out with your favourite characters of My Flatmates and watch the Season 5 finale with them. ………..Mention 10 celebrities that have featured on the show and state their character names……..10 Fans will be selected to hang out with the stars for an unforgettable experience”.

On Tuesday 15^th March, I received the Direct Instagram Message saying: “Congratulations!!! You are a true fan of the TV series – MY FLATMATES and we have chosen you specially to come and have a wonderful experience with your favourite casts of the show”.

And on Friday 18^th March 2022, yours sincerely was one of the 10 chosen winners out of the many who vied for an evening with My Flatmates at their location in Lekki, Lagos, to watch the final episode of Season 5, as Season 6 was also opening.

The DSTV promo of My Flatmates describes the comedy programme as, “a situational comedy documenting the lives of four friends who share an apartment. All sorts of chaotic and hilarious things happen as they go about their daily escapades in pursuit of a better life for themselves”. How apt!

The first episode was aired in 2017 and the show has and still features some of Nigeria’s leading comedians including Basketmouth, Buchi, Okey Bakassi, Wofai Dada, Yaw, I go Save and others, and the sitcom is available on several channels on DStv.

Last Friday, the 10 winners gathered at a central location in Lekki Phase One from where a bus driven by no other than Prosper, the alcoholic Chief Security Officer/Gate man on the programme, came to pick us up for the ride to location. Prosper in real life is Jibunor Emmanuel and his sidekick, Titus the Apprentice Barber, played by MC Pashun – who has a comedy event coming up at the Muson Centre on June 5 – was our bus conductor and he also played the role of today’s Ernest Okonkwo, as he ran commentaries on the kind of evening we were about to have and he provided information on the cast and crew of My Flatmates.

Introductions provided the guests with the opportunity to say what felt about My Flatmates and offer advice and suggestions. As I told the team, I was not one of the early fans of the sitcom. COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 provided the chance to see more programmes on TV, when everyone was locked in at home. Those of us who usually tune in to news and sports channels suddenly had nothing new to watch because there were no live sports and hardly any news other than COVID-19 updates, fears and uncertainties. So, we flipped from channel to channel and stopped over on the African Magic belt that we used to jump over…… That was how I got to know about My Flatmates. Others had their own experiences but the meat of the evening was to watch the Season 5 Finale which received much accolade and pointed to more action in Season 6 which has commenced yesterday.

For the cast and crew of My Flatmates, the production is like a full time job because they shoot every day and so they go to the location Monday to Friday. As someone said, “it is practically like a 9am to 5pm job”.  It must be a tough schedule but I am sure it has been rewarding – sponsors seem to be ever present. Having acted on stage and on a couple of TV commercials, I know how intensive and sometimes stressful it can be on same location, seeing the same faces and agreeing not to disagree daily. But their arrangement seems to have made the team to bond like a family and it was that setting that we met on Friday, with all the backslapping and hugs and sharing. Senior Comedian Okey Bakassi – Oga Nduka – receives much respect from ‘the gang’ as a senior citizen in the house as he proposed the toast; and there is also no doubt that Buchi Ojieh – Barr. Obus – carried his role on the sitcom to the live hangout which he piloted as MC. (Barr. Obus, I saw your message where you called me Baba. You will hear from my own Barrister O! I’m just 68!!)

 Long time Director John Njamah of ‘Fuji House of Commotion’ fame, and Executive Producer Kayode Peters who also plays the role of Koko, the owner of Koko’s Lounge, also took time to explain the production process and activities that go into making the programme one of the most watched sitcoms on Nigerian cable TV. The team also write their scripts.

Current and past members of the cast of My Flatmates include ‘Basketmouth’ Bright Okpocha as Frank Obasohan; Buchi Ojieh as Barr. Obus Okposo; former Mr. Nigeria Emmanuel Ikubese as Sammy; Steve ‘Yaw’ Onu as Wiberforce Okoro; Rekiya Yusuf as Mimi Mirabel Ekong; Bethel Njoku as Chief Donatus; Okey Bakassi as Nduka; Wofai Fada as Sandra; Jibunor Emmanuel as Prosper; Adebayo Davies as Baba Landlord Jinadu Salako; Annie Idibia – Fatima; Late Sound Sultan – Barr. Rotimi; Wofai Fada as Sandra; Kayode Peters as Koko; MC Pashun as Titus; Daniel Nwoka as Honourable Dan; Jibola Dabo as Mr. Obasohan, Frank’s father; Mr. Macaroni (Debo Adedayo) as AK 47; Frank’s mother (Mrs. Obasohan) – Tina Mba; Chukwuemeka Okoye (Frodd) as Tobias aka T-money; Scarlet Shotade as Fadeke; Tejiri is Oluwatoyin Albert. a.k.a. Dat Warri Girl, while Otaghware Onodjayeke, a.k.a. I Go Save plays the Mechanic Engr. Jite.

Guests missed Basketmouth, Chief Donatus, Honorable Dan, Cletus the Barman, Olorogun – Jite’s cantankerous Uncle, Chidinma – Nduka’s new wife who replaced Sandra and a few others, involved in other activities elsewhere that evening, but it was a full house and the crew led by the Directors John Njamah and Patrick Nkamiang, as well as the producers were well represented. Bright Okpocha and Kayode Peters are actually Executive Producers while Solomon Adekunle is Supervisory Producer but there are many members involved in directing, production, music, set design, scripting, editing, cameras, sound recording, lighting, props, make-up, wardrobe, protocols, administration and accounting, sales & promotions, first aid, catering, transportation, and other areas that make My Flatmates tick.

Epa.com.ng welcomes you to Season 6 of My Flatmates!

IMAGE CREDIT: My Flatmates

 Epa Ogie Eboigbe, veteran journalist, broadcaster and public affairs specialist, writes on, and analyses current and historical issues with a ‘wise pen’.