President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended Funke Akindele AKA
Jenifa and Nigeria’s
Nollywood industry as Akindele’s new film “A Tribe Called Judah” chattered all records to emerge the most-grossing Nigerian movie, it earned above a billion Naira in record time.
“A Tribe Called Judah” achieved the historic feat of N1.1 billion or its dollar equivalent of $1.1 million in just three weeks of its release.
Funke Akindele, the film’s creator, director and producer writing on her social media handle thanked her fans for the milestone.
“Thank you Lord! Thank you Nigeria! Thank you Ghana!” she posted on Instagram, garnering thousands of congratulations and loving comments. The record cements Akindele, 46, as Nollywood’s highest-grossing director.
“A Tribe Called Judah” is set to eclipse Hollywood hits in Nigerian theatre earnings, including the acclaimed superhero film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which previously held the record as the top-grossing film in the country.
“This achievement isn’t just about numbers; it’s a testament to the power of storytelling, cultural pride, and the unyielding spirit of Nollywood,” the film’s distributor, FilmOne Entertainment, said on Instagram as it hailed the film as a “cultural gem”.
According to the FilmOne, Funke Akindele’s commitment to storytelling has “etched a significant chapter in the vibrant tapestry of Nigerian cinema”.
A Tribe Called Judah has received rave reviews from both critics and fans and is basking in high ratings on movie review platforms.
President Bola Tinubu also celebrated the ingenuity, creativity, and immense artistic talents of Nigeria’s thriving entertainment industry adding that the creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors.
In a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu also congratulated Funke Akindele on her record-setting film and commended the ace thespian for her contributions to the growth of the industry.
The President extolled the creative industry’s pivotal place as a medium not only for artistic expression but also a source of enormous soft power and viable export.
“The creative industry is one of the high-employment sectors, providing jobs for our able and talented youths. It is an industry that is crucial to my administration. I salute Nigerians for their enduring support and patronage of home-grown creative efforts. We will provide the conducive environment for the industry to thrive further,“ the president said.
“A Tribe Called Judah” masterfully delves into the intricacies of a quintessential Nigerian low-to-middle-income family grappling with economic and social challenges. The narrative skillfully intertwines humour, emotion, and suspense, crafting a compelling family drama. While a touch of brevity in certain scenes could have intensified viewer engagement, the overall synergy of the storyline, soundtrack, and cinematography that captures every moment of the scene elevates this film to a distinguished status, leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape within the Nollywood realm. A thumb up to Funke Akindele and the other contributors.
The creator and producer, Funke Akindele revealed the film was inspired by and dedicated to the memory of her late mother. The film portrays a scheme to rob a mall by five brothers whose mother was battling financial hard times.
Some of the cast include Jide Kene Achufusi (Emeka Judah); Funke Akindele (Jedidah Judah); Boma Akpore; Timini Egbuson (Pere Judah); Tobi Makinde (Shina Judah) and Olumide Oworu (Ejiro Judah). Others include Paschaline Alex, Uzor Arukwe; Fathia Balogun; Etinosa Idemudia; Nse Ikpe-Etim (Collect), and Yvonne Jegede among others.
Credits: BBC and additional reports
