By BABAJIDE AWOYINFA

The Nigeria Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) on Friday honoured Nigeria’s Box Office queen, Funke Akindele, with multiple awards in recognition of her achievements in the Nollywood industry.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akindele received five awards at a ceremony held at the NFVCB Hall, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The event, organised by the Managing Director of NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, was attended by the Director-General of the National Arts Theatre, Mrs Tola Akerele, who represented Mrs Hannatu Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy.

Musawa, in her remarks, commended Akindele for her giant strides in the Nollywood industry.

“I congratulate my sister, Akindele, whose extraordinary consistency over the past four years has earned her the well-deserved title of Nigeria’s Box Office Queen.

“Through creativity, discipline, innovation, and an exceptional understanding of her audience, Akindele has demonstrated that Nigeria’s stories can command our cinemas, captivate millions, and generate unprecedented volumes of box office returns.

“Her achievements are not only personal milestones, they have become industry benchmarks, no doubt. Her performing has raised the bar and has inspired a generation of Nigerians all over the world,” she said.

Musawa restated that Akindele’s performances in the Nollywood industry had fostered greater cultural awareness of Nigerian society.

“Akindele has also shown that Nollywood is not only culturally influential, it is economically strategic. As an industry, we remain committed to policies that will expand cinema and enter projects across our African countries.

“Nigeria will also continue to encourage responsible content, and create an enabling environment where talent and enterprise can flourish.

“On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Creative Economy, I warmly congratulate Akindele on this exceptional milestone, setting a new benchmark for excellence and consistency in the industry,” she said.

In his remarks, Dr Husseini extolled Akindele’s virtues, noting that she deserved the recognition accorded her.

“Akindele has so many awards because we have been planning to give her since 2020, and then up to the one that she won this year.

“I believe she deserves all the flowers she has and we need to give those flowers to her now that she needs them most and fresh.

“The award ceremony was not at the instance of Akindele but a secrect one planned to her suprise, we only recognise her great works and deservingly present the awards to her,” he said.

Also speaking, a veteran filmmaker and Managing Director of BrickHouse Media, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, commended Akindele for elevating Nollywood to international recognition.

“The resilience of innovators like Akindele has made the Nollywood industry grow in leaps and bounds.

“There are challenges here and there, but we will not dwell on it but rather celebrate our achievements in the movie world.

“With the grace of God, things will only get better. What I would admonish us all to do is to stay together.

“We will have disagreements and all that but we need to stop tearing the industry down. It’s the only industry we have,” he advised.

An elated Akindele expressed gratitude to the NFVCB and attendees, reiterating her commitment to contribute further to the growth of Nollywood.

She attributed her success to dedication, hard work and diligence.

Other speakers, including veteran actress and Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) South-West Vice President, Dayo Amusa, and the General Manager of Ozone Cinemas, Mr Patrick Lee, also commended Akindele for breaking barriers in the industry.

NAN reports that the NFVCB presented Akindele with four awards, while the Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) presented her with one award.

She received the Box Office Champion Award (2020) for the film, Omo Ghetto: The Saga; the Audience Choice Award (2024/2025) for Everybody Loves Jenifa; the Box Office Champion Award (2024/2025) for Everybody Loves Jenifa; and the Box Office Champion Award (2025/2026) for Behind The Scenes.

RATTAWU presented her with the “Promotion of Indigenous Film Culture in Nigeria” award.

Guests at the ceremony included industry practitioners such as the President of the Association of Movie Producers, Dr Blessing Ebigeson; DGN Vice President, Grace Edwin Okon; and Chioma Ude, among others. (NAN)

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