Entertainment
Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ reflects Nigerians’ woes – Obi
The candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, has lauded Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, for her feat in the blockbuster, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, which broke a box office record within three weeks of its release in cinemas to become the first Nollywood film to gross N1 billion.
Obi, who made the commendations via his X profile on Saturday, noted that the movie reflected “some of the complex challenges faced by many less-privileged families in Nigeria, in their struggles for survival.”
He tweeted, “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,” adding that the feat was a “historic moment in our Nigerian movie industry.”
“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 stated.
He also commended Akindele for having two of her previous movies – ‘Battle on Buka Street’ and ’ Omo Ghetto,’ sitting as the “second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office respectively.”
However, Obi stated that the movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah,’ touches on “some of the complex challenges faced by many less-privileged families in Nigeria, in their struggles for survival.
“It skillfully tells a story that appeals to its audience in a comic and entertaining delivery.”
The LP presidential candidate urged Nollywood to “continue to tell stories that will inspire hard work, integrity, and productivity among Nigerians..”
“This, I believe, will play a significant role in positioning our minds for the productivity-driven nation we are trying to build – The New Nigeria!,” he tweeted.
President Bola Tinubu congratulated Akindele on the success of the latest movie which recently made N1 billion and became the highest-grossing Nigeria movie of all time.
Nollytrailers reports that the movie, which hit cinemas on December 15, 2023, has continued to break records, becoming the first to gross over N133 million in its opening weekend.
This feat has surpassed Akindele’s previous films ‘Battle on Buka Street’ (N668.4m), and ’ Omo Ghetto’ (N636.1m) which currently sit as the second and third highest-grossing films at the Nigerian box office respectively.
The film was eventually premiered amidst fanfare at the Filmhouse Cinema IMAX, Lekki, Lagos, on Sunday, December 10, 2023.
Directed by Adeoluwa Owu, aka Captain Degzy, the film tells the story of a family of boys, who decide to rob a mall to raise money for their mother’s hospital bill. However, on getting there, they are faced with armed robbers.
The star-studded movie featured seasoned actors and actresses including Nse Ikpe Etim, Funke Akindele, Timini Egbuson, Ebelle Okaro, Uzor Arukwe, Genoveva Umeh, and Nosa Rex, amongst others.
Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin has questioned the authenticity of an interim order issued by the Lagos State High Court on 2 September 2026, restraining her from publishing photographs of Priscilla Ojo’s one-year-old son, Rakeem Mkambala, and from posting editorials concerning the family on specified social media platforms.
Anjorin raised the issue during an Instagram Live session on Friday, 4 September, after Priscilla shared a copy of the court order online.
The actress argued that publicising court documents before formally serving the respondent undermines the case.
“Your case na dead on arrival. If you post court letter on any platform before serving person wey you wan go serve, that court case na fake court case,” Anjorin said during the live session.
Her comments came shortly after the High Court of Lagos State granted an ex parte application brought by Priscilla, her husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Mussa Mkambala, and their son, Rakeem.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the interim order in Suit No. LD/ADR/6646/2026.
The order restrains Anjorin, as well as people acting under her authority, from publishing, posting, circulating, uploading or broadcasting photographs of Rakeem on specified social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok.
The court also directed Anjorin to cease publishing or broadcasting editorials concerning the applicants on the platforms covered by the order.
An ex parte order is made at an interim stage without the respondent being heard. The order is therefore not a final determination of the dispute and remains subject to further proceedings.
Priscilla shared the certified copy of the order on her Instagram Story on Friday, bringing the legal development into public view.
Anjorin’s reaction centres on the timing and manner in which the court documents were publicised. Her assertion that such publication makes a case “fake” is her own claim and is not a finding contained in the court order.
The development marks another chapter in the prolonged public dispute between Anjorin and Priscilla’s family, particularly Priscilla’s mother, actress Iyabo Ojo.
The disagreement has played out largely on social media and has previously resulted in legal action, including a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed by Iyabo Ojo against Anjorin.
In recent weeks, the dispute has also drawn Priscilla and her young son into the controversy, following public comments by Anjorin concerning the family.
Kesiena Tony Adjekpovu, popularly known as Kess, has said that participating in Big Brother Naija can make life harder, offering a candid reflection on the challenges that may come with the reality television experience.
The former Big Brother Naija housemate made the comment in a statement shared on social media, where he suggested that winning or simply taking part in the reality show does not necessarily make life easier after leaving the house.
“Big Brother makes your life harder,” Kess said.
The remark has drawn attention because life after reality television can bring a different set of expectations, particularly as former housemates adjust to increased public attention and the pressure that can accompany visibility.
Kess was a housemate on the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, which aired in 2022. He entered the show as a businessman and was among the contestants who competed for the season’s grand prize.
His time on the programme also placed him in the public eye, giving viewers an opportunity to follow his personality and relationships inside the house.
Kess’s latest comment offers a more reflective view of the reality TV platform, suggesting that the experience does not end when a contestant leaves the house.
However, he did not provide further details in the available post explaining which specific aspects of life after Big Brother he was referring to.
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