The presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party in 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has sent his congratulatory message to the popular Nigeria actress, Funke Akindele, on her feat over new movie, ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ which made history by becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever with a reported N1 billion earnings at the box office.
Atiku send her goodwill message in a statement posted on his X, formerly Twitter handle on Friday.
He noted that the film did not only shattered box office records by becoming the first Nigerian movie to earn 1 billion naira in domestic theatres, but it also stands as a beacon of cultural pride and the unfailing spirit of Nigeria film industry.
The former Vice-President stressed that Nigeria is really proud of Akindele giant strides and her pivotal role in promoting Nigeria cinema to a new heights.
While noting that Akindele’s success is also Nigeria’s success, Atiku said that the historic milestone has set a new standard for excellence
He wrote, “I extend my heartiest congratulations to @funkeakindele for the phenomenal success of “A Tribe Called Judah”.
“This film has not only shattered box office records by becoming the first Nigerian movie to earn 1 billion naira in domestic theatres, but it also stands as a beacon of cultural pride and the unyielding spirit of Nollywood.
“A Tribe Called Judah” is not just a film; it is a cultural gem that reflects the vibrancy and resilience of Nigerian cinema.
“As a nation, we are incredibly proud of Funke’s achievements and her role in elevating Nigerian cinema to new heights. Her success is our success, and it inspires a new generation of filmmakers and storytellers in Nigeria and beyond.
“Congratulations, Funke, on this historic milestone. You have set a new standard for excellence, and your work inspires us all”, he said.
The success of her film has been attributed to her skillful and impressive marketing, which included drawing viewers in with engaging trailers and social media campaigns
On December 15, 2023, the film premiered in theaters around the country. With a total of N113.3 million on opening weekend, it became the highest-grossing Nollywood opening weekend of the year.
It’s also currently showing in the United Kingdom as well
It automatically became the highest-grossing Nollywood film of 2023 and the highest-grossing film ever, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria.
It crossed the N1 billion historic mark in just two days into 2024, ending 2023 with a total gross of N854.3 million.
