Omera: Femi Ogunsanwo Dives Into Reverse Japa, Power, Corruption, Redemption
In a country where many young Nigerians have resulted to fleeing the country for greener pastures, Femi Ogunsanwo’s ‘Omera’ tells a reverse ‘japa’ story where the lead (Desmond Bryce) is scammed of his travel funds and subsequently presented with an opportunity by his uncle, Abara (Akin Lewis), to head his NGO, the Ajogu Empowerment Foundation (AEF). Unknown to Omera, he is heading to a community where its people are its own enemies. How much can one do in a land whose people are blinded by personal gains?
Madam Regina (Mary Kowo) and the Chief Priest of Ajogu, Atamebo (Williams Omo Godwyn), the catalysts of Ajogu’s misfortunes, in order to further their personal ambitions for wealth, serve as a tool for Idu—a neighbouring village currently at war with Ajogu over land mass—to secretly acquire parcels of Ajogu land. As the story progresses, this duo orchestrates chaos and encourages natives to sell their lands under the guise of helping them emigrate to the big city.
Exploring themes of greed and corruption, Africa Magic’s Omera weaves a web of personal ambition, community struggles, and complex relationships. With every episode, we are taken on a journey filled with power struggles and betrayal, but one sub-theme that adds to the overall depth of the story is forbidden love.
Omera explores the relationship dynamics between two couples who love each other but are at different levels of the Ajogu social ladder. In Ajogu, you’re either a noble or a peasant. In this case, Prince Ameh (Benjamin Olaye) the crown prince, and Iyoma (Olarenwaju Ayanwale) play a central role as their relationship causes turmoil outside and within the palace.
The problem? Iyoma is a single mother who is not from a noble family, and Ameh is the Crown Prince of Ajogu and soon to be Onu (king). One challenge the couple face is that for Ameh to become king, he has to marry a noble woman, and according to Ajogu, Iyoma is far from noble. Unknown to the whole of Ajogu, Ameh plays a key role in Iyoma’s current standing in society.
Ajifa (Mofe Okorodudu) and Akoji (Kingsley Nwachukwu) are also faced with the same dilemma, with Ajifa being a daughter to high Chief hief Alewo and Akoji being the head of the Ajogu Vigilante. Their union is under threat, and for the most part, they are the only compatible duo in the series. This side of the drama adds emotional stakes to the overall story.
At the centre of all this drama is Omera, an antihero who is deeply flawed, uncouth, and a self-serving character that you can’t help but root for amidst the chaos and dynamics in Ajogu. While he occasionally contributes to the general good in Ajogu, his impatience and selfishness make him a difficult character to stand by.
Regardless of his morally questionable actions, Omera’s activities in Ajogu challenge a selected set of Ajogu gatekeepers committed to its ruin, especially with influential figures like Madam Regina and the Chief Priest, who thrive by exploiting the people.
Thematically, Omera explores the lines between tradition and modernity while exploring the delicate nature of love amidst societal pressures, with a focus on the forbidden relationship between Prince Ameh and Iyoma. Additionally, it highlights the cost of change and ambition, illustrated by the tragic death of Akoji.
Every character on the show has a background story that further drives the show’s plot. Prince Ameh, torn between his love for Iyoma and his duty to Ajogu, explores ways to resist societal pressure while retaining his right to become Onu of Ajogu Kingdom. On the other hand, Madam Regina and the Chief Priest are direct opponents of Prince Ameh’s plans for reformation with Ajogu. Madam Regina orchestrates conflict to further her land-grabbing schemes.
The Chief Priest, under the guise of his spiritual connection with the ancestors, joins hands with rival communities to further turn Ajogu into a shell; this is coupled with his obsession for wanting to kill Omera. His character is an emblem of how tradition and spirituality can be weaponised for personal gain.
Aside from complex narratives, Omera’s critiquing of land exploitation and traditional hierarchies reflects real-world issues, as the myopic nature of a few fuels the well-conceived plan of an evil mastermind whose eventual goal is for the community to be extinct and his pockets enriched. All these complexities are explored with engaging visuals and settings.
Set to unfold over 130 episodes, there’s a lot to uncover and a lot to have viewers at the edge of their seats. While Omera’s main character might be hard to love, the show compensates for this with occasional comical moments, exciting character dynamics, and a compelling exploration of societal issues. With Africa Magic’s Omera, there’s depth and drama.
Follow the exciting journey of Omera on Africa Magic Showcase on DStv Channel 198 on weekdays.
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