Yes, we know Father’s Day is over, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop giving dads their flowers. Here are some of the Nollywood fatherhood characters that totally raised the not-so-high bar for us over the years.
Pete Edochie in Lionheart
Genevieve Nnaji was in her genius bag when she made Lionheart and cast Pete Edochie as her dad in the film. While he’d built a reputation for being a no nonsense village king over the years, Lionheart showed a softer side of Pete Edochie and we loved every minute of it. The scene where he tells Genevieve how much he loves her and respects the value she brings to his company remains unmatched. Girl dads >>>>
Richard Mofe Damijo in Diamond Ring
In Diamond Ring, our favourite zaddy, Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD), plays a father whose son (Teju Babyface) steals a diamond ring from a dead Liz Benson covered in Calamine Lotion. To save his son’s life, RMD travels to the UK, transports a dead body and gets hit in the balls by some random chick. If this isn’t true fatherly love, I don’t know what it is.
Odogwu Michael Nonso in Just The Two Of Us
A series that follows a man raising his daughter by himself after her mum leaves? Just the Two of Us was way ahead of its time. He patiently taught his daughter about life and she readily dragged him like small gen everytime he did something corny. Their relationship was so much fun to watch.
Olu Jacobs in Private Sin
In Private Sin, Olu Jacobs notices his son (RMD) is in an unhappy marriage with Genevieve Nnaji and does something extreme to scatter that marriage. To get his son to leave his manipulative wife, Olu Jacobs comes up with an elaborate plan where he helps him meet and fall in love with Stephanie Okerere’s character. The whole thing is a bit somehow, but it’s the intention that counts, I guess….
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Pete Edochie in every film where he tried to save his daughter from broke men
We can’t believe there was a time we thought Pete Edochie was wicked every time he tried to stop his daughter from marrying a poor man. Back in the day, our naive asses believed love could conquer all things, including generational sapa. But with dollar rates and the rising cost of shawarma, we now know better. Looking at a film like My Love with Ramsey Noah and Chiege Alisigwe, we finally respect Pete’s decision. Please, marry rich to avoid sapa.
Kunle Bamtefa in Fuji House of Commotion
All hail the father of nations! Kunle Bamtefa’s character on Fuji House of Commotion had like four wives and one million children, but somehow, he made it work. Did they fight all the time? Yes. But this man always came through for his kids whenever they needed him — even if he couldn’t remember their names. Very bare minimum, but that’s what you get when the good dad trope is lacking on Nigerian TV.
Nobert Young in Family Circle and Edge of Paradise
Nobert Young was the quintessential DILF, back in the day — still is. On both Family Circle and Edge of Paradise, Nobert Young played a kind and loving dad who maintained an open relationship with his kids. His characters were more Phil Dunphy than your average Nigerian dad. Who wouldn’t want a fun dad like Phil?
Amaechi Muonagor in For Better or Worse
In For Better or Worse, Genevieve Nnaji who played Amaechi Muonagor’s daughter showed him pepper. From her drug problem to getting deported back to Nigeria, this babe was bad vibes all through. But instead of saying, “Fuck them kids,”, Amaechi’s character stood by his daughter through and through. Can’t relate because no energy for stress please.
