Nigeria's First High School Musical Previewed at GCIOBA Reunion

Nigeria’s first high school musical film, ‘Pride Rock: The Chronicles,’ was previewed during the 35th anniversary reunion of the 1989 Class of Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association (GCIOBA) over the weekend. This significant event marked a milestone in Nigerian cinema and celebrated the legacy of the prestigious institution.

Produced and directed by Samsideen Adesiyan and sponsored by the Gbegande Olusegun Onayinka Foundation, Pride Rock: The Chronicles features nearly 300 teenage actors alongside prominent figures such as Yemi Solade, Bimbo Oshin, Afeez Oyetoro, and more. The film recounts the history of Government College Ibadan (GCI) from its founding in 1929, showcasing the experiences of its students who have significantly impacted Nigeria and the world.

In a statement released on Sunday, the film’s producers highlighted the importance of GCI’s legacy, stating, “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 deserves to be told as we struggle to rebuild Nigeria and inspire our teeming youths.”

Pride Rock: The Chronicles was previewed during GCIOBA’s Class of 1989 35th reunion.

Olusegun Onayinka, an alumnus of GCI, emphasised the film’s goal to immortalise the experiences of the institution’s notable alumni and inspire future generations. “We are proud to say that this is the first high school musical movie in Nigeria and Africa,” said Onayinka.

The 1989 Class of GCIOBA, responsible for modernising the school’s Assembly Hall and redesigning its stage, undertook these projects to foster creativity and literary excellence among current and future students. The director, Samsideen Adesiyan, expressed the film’s message of empowerment, stating, “Pride rock is the story of ordinary boys who left their villages and towns across Nigeria to converge in Apata…These ordinary boys went on to become great personalities who did extraordinary things that put Nigeria on the global stage.”

Adesiyan further elaborated on the film’s unique approach within Nollywood, aiming to inspire youths through positive storytelling enriched with dance, music, and action. He added, “The music in the film is eclectic and of two kinds, musical dialogues and incidental music, reflecting a potpourri of different sounds across generations.”

Despite the challenges faced during production, Pride Rock: The Chronicles is set to revolutionise Nollywood, establishing a new benchmark for high school musical films in Nigeria and beyond.