Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the February 25 election, Peter Obi, expressed admiration for Nollywood actress Funke Akindele’s recent blockbuster, ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’ The movie achieved a groundbreaking N1 billion in box office earnings within three weeks of release, making it the first Nollywood film to achieve such a milestone.
Obi commended Akindele for skillfully depicting the complex challenges faced by many less-privileged families in Nigeria in their struggles for survival. Through his X profile, he conveyed his appreciation, stating, “It is heartwarming to learn that ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ a movie by Nigerian Movie Producer, @funkeakindele, has achieved a record-breaking earning of N1 billion in just 3 weeks of its release.” He referred to this achievement as a historic moment in the Nigerian movie industry.
The former Anambra State Governor highlighted Nollywood’s status as one of Nigeria’s significant exports over the past decade, attributing this to the remarkable works of talented individuals like Funke Akindele, both as an actress and a movie producer.
“Nollywood remains one of the biggest exports of our country in the last decade and shows the inherent potential in our people which Akindele has copiously brought out in all her works. I congratulate Funke Akindele for achieving this feat, which is a bold testament to her passion, hard work, and dedication in the movie industry,” he emphasized.
Obi also acknowledged Akindele’s previous successes, citing ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ‘Omo Ghetto’ as the second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office. He emphasized that ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ skillfully addresses complex challenges faced by less-privileged families in Nigeria while delivering a story that appeals to the audience in a comic and entertaining manner.
The Labour Party presidential candidate encouraged Nollywood to continue telling stories that inspire hard work, integrity, and productivity among Nigerians. He believes that such narratives will play a significant role in shaping the mindset of the nation towards a productive and prosperous future.
President Bola Tinubu also congratulated Funke Akindele on the movie’s success, making it the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time. ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ premiered at Filmhouse Cinema IMAX, Lekki, Lagos, on December 10, 2023, and has continued to break records since its release on December 15, 2023. The film, directed by Adeoluwa Owu (Captain Degzy), features a star-studded cast, including Nse Ikpe Etim, Timini Egbuson, Ebelle Okaro, Uzor Arukwe, Genoveva Umeh, Nosa Rex, and Funke Akindele herself.