By Gaius Amusan
The first high school musical film produced in Nigeria has been previewed at the weekend, during the 35th anniversary reunion of the 1989 Class of Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association.
The movie preview was part of activities marking the 35th-anniversary reunion of the 1989 Class of GCIOBA. The film titled Pride Rock: The Chronicles, is produced and directed by Samsideen Adesiyan and sponsored by Gbegande Olusegun Onayinka Foundation. The film which has nearly 300 teenage actors, features top actors such as:
Yemi Solade, Bimbo Oshin, Afiz Oyetoro, Ropo Ewenla, Taiwo Ibikunle, Emmanuel Nlemadim, Seun Kentebe, Ralph Niyi, Aisha Lawal, Femi Durojaiye, Joke Muyiwa, Jude Orhora and Andreas Fritzer. It also includes teen actors such as; Martins Ibikunle, Kiitan Olowookere, Inioluwa Taiwo, Olamide Carew, Gbenga Ajayi, Michael Aluko, Olowolafe Tobi, Timileyin Olayemi, Onasebu Timileyin, Imoudu Elijah, Owoeye Cyrus, Ayeni Michael, Samuel Arowolo, Israel Olufemi, Babatope Daniel, Simisola Sheleru, Oreoluwa Bamidele, Perpetual Ozurumba, Eniola Afolabi, Favour Oluwagbemi, Temitope Ajiboye Its plots and sub-plots share with the world the high school experiences of the school’s students who have had significant impacts on Nigeria and the world at large.
A statement released on Sunday said the stories reflect the dogma and principle of excellence upon which the school was founded. It added that GCI as it is widely known produced some of the best personalities that helped to build the early foundations of Nigeria across different fields.
“Arguably, GCI has more old boys who have projected Nigeria and Africa onto the world stage more than any other secondary school in Nigeria. Its story thus deserves to be told as we struggle to rebuild Nigeria and inspire our teeming youths.
”According to Olusegun Onayinka, an old boy of the school said: “The idea behind this movie is to reproduce the experiences of great men who have passed through Government College Ibadan in order to create a legacy for the school and to serve as a guiding light for the new generation of students and those to come. We are proud to say that this is the first high school musical movie in Nigeria and Africa. Speaking further, Onayinka said: “As you may already know, the 1989 Class of the GCIOBA has modernized the school Assembly Hall and redesigned its stage.