Funke Akindele

Akindele-Bello Olufunke Ayotunde[2][3] (popularly known as Funke Akindele /Jenifa)[4] is a Nigerian actress and producer.[5] Funke starred in the sitcom I Need to Know from 1998 to 2002, and in 2009 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.[6] She plays the lead character in the show Jenifa's Diary,[7] for which she was named Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.[8]

Funke Akindele Bello
Funke Akindele at the 2020 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born
Akindele Olufunke Ayotunde

(1977-08-24) August 24, 1977 [1]
Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria
Alma mater
OccupationActress, Film Producer
Years active1998-present

Early life and education

Akindele was born on August 24, 1977, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria.[9] Funke is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Akindele's mother is a Medical Doctor while her father is a retired School Principal.[4][10] Funke obtained an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, [11].[12][13]

Career

Akindele came into the limelight after starring in popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom I Need to Know, which ran from 1998 to 2002. Funke played Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. Funke Akindele's big break came in 2008 when she appeared in the movie Jenifa[14][13]

In January 2018, there was a controversy when it was reported that Akindele would get her Hollywood debut in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War as she was listed as a member of the cast on IMDb.[15] Mainstream Nigerian press reported that she was set to star in Infinity War as the guard Dora Milaje, citing IMDb.[16] Some weeks later her name was replaced with that of fellow Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji,[17] with Akindele's upload shown to have been a hack.[18] In February 2018, it was reported that Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Akindele in Infinity War.[19]

In July 2016, in an interview she stated she was acting less in the Yoruba film industry at that time because of piracy.[8] Akindele plays the lead character in the ongoing hit TV show Jenifa's Diary, alongside Fisayo Ajisola, Falz, Juliana Olayode, and Aderounmu Adejumoke. The show is a spin-off from the movie Jenifa.[7] The 2018 comedy film Moms at War stars Akindele and Michelle Dede. In July 2019, Akindele started a new web series, Aiyetoro Town,[20] a spinoff from her popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary.[21] She is the CEO of Scene One Film Production.[22]

She made her directorial debut in 2019 political drama film Your Excellency.[23]

Charity initiative

Funke Akindele runs a non-governmental organisation known as the Jenifa Foundation, which aims at providing young people with vocational skills.[24][25]

Endorsements

Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Dettol.[26] Funke Akindele has endorsement deals such as her being signed as an Ambassador to Irokotv.[27] Also in 2018, she was signed as brand ambassador for Keystone Bank.[28] In November 2019, she signed an endorsement deal with Waw Nigeria, a company that manufactures detergent and bar soaps.[29]

Personal life

On May 26, 2012, Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede.[30] The couple divorced in July 2013, citing irreconcilable differences.[31] Akindele married Nigerian rapper JJC Skillz in London in May 2016.[32] Her pregnancy remours were among the top searched results on Google search engine in August 2017.[33] Akindele gave birth to twin boys in December 2018 and has several step-children.[34][35][36]

Controversies

In April 2020, Akindele was arrested and charged to court after hosting a birthday party in honour of her husband during the period of an imposed lockdown (to tackle coronavirus).[37]. She later appeared in a Nigeria Centre for Disease Control video to raise awareness about coronavirus.[38] The actress and her husband were sentenced to a 14-day community service after confessing guilty to violating lockdown order.[39]

Filmography

Awards and nominations
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Year Event Prize Work Result
2009 Africa Movie Academy Award Best Actress Leading Role Won
2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress Jenifa Won
2010 2010 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress in a Leading Role (Yoruba) Oguni Aiku Nominated
2012 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress Troj Won
2012 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actress (Indigenous) Emi Abata Won
2012 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actress (English) Married but Living Single Nominated
Zulu African Film Academy Awards Best Actress Maami and The Return of Jenifa Won
2013 2013 Nollywood Movies Awards Best Actress (Leading Role) Maami Nominated
Best Actress (Indigenous) Won
2014 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress (Leading Role) Agnetta O’Mpa Won
2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actress (Comedy) The Return of Sheri Koko Won
ELOY Awards Brand Ambassador of the Year Omo Won[40]
2016 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actress In Comedy Role Jenifa's Diary Won
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Actress Series Nominated
Naija FM Awards Sitcom Of The Year Won
Best Actress in Comedy Won
Africa Entertainment Legend Awards Best Actress of the Year Won[41]
2016 Ghana Movies Awards Best Actress Africa Collaboration A Trip to Jamaica Won[42]
2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best TV Series Jenifa's Diary Won[43]
Best Actress in a Comedy Movie or TV Series Won[44]
A Trip to Jamaica Nominated
2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Lead Actress Won
2020 2020 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV Series Won[45]
gollark: Set it to not be red and LOOK.
gollark: No clue.
gollark: Ah, yes, that.
gollark: What is?
gollark: And, the hardest of all, add security.

References
  1. "Just like Funke Akindele, everyone got Eniola Badmus' age wrong". The Net. The Net. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  2. Njoku, Benjamin (2 January 2010). "I didn't snatch anybody's husband – Funke Akindele". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  3. "Full name & Date of Birth". Retrieved 2009-10-08.
  4. "ABOUT FUNKE AKINDELE - Funke Akindele - Official Website of Olufunke Akindele". olufunkeakindele.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  5. Funsho Akinwale, Funke Akindele gives first glimpse of her twins, The Guardian
  6. "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2009". African Movie Academy Award. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
  7. ""Jenifa's Diary" Watch Funke Akindele in season 4 trailer". Pulse.ng. Chidumga Izuzu. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  8. July 18, 2016 Funke Akindele: I’m not producing Yoruba movies for now, The Cable
  9. Olivia Kabir, January 2019 Funke Akindele's state of origin Read more: https://www.legit.ng/1215364-funke-akindeles-state-origin.html, Legit.ng
  10. Bodunrin, Sola. "10 Things You Need To Know About Funke Akindele ▷ NAIJ.COM". naij.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  11. "Unilag Home". University of Lagos. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  12. Williams, Yvonne. "Birthday Shout! Celebrating versatile screen diva Funke Akindele aka Jenifa". Happenings Media. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  13. "Nollywood's Funke Akindele turns 40 years today". Ghanaweb.com. 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2020-04-05.
  14. Akindele, Funke. "Watch: Funke Akindele – My Best Friend Can Only Call My Husband On His Birthday". TheGuardian. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  15. "Funke Akindele named as starring in Hollywood movie, "Avengers: Infinity War"". Premium Times Nigeria. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
  16. January 11, 2018 Funke Akindele to star in Hollywood movie “Avengers: Infinity War”, Sun News
  17. "What's the Story on Funke Akindele Bello, Genevieve Nnaji & "Avengers: Infinity War"?". BellaNaija. 2018-01-15. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
  18. Nsikak Nseyen, January 16, 2018 How hackers uploaded Funke Akindele’s photo as Avenger’s cast – Freeze, Daily Post
  19. Nasikak Nseye, February 5, 2018‘Avengers Infinity War’: Saraki makes case for actress, Funke Akindele, Daily Post
  20. "Aiyetoro town: Funke Akindele has kicked off 'Jenifa's Diary' spinoff, and it's hilarious". Pulse Nigeria. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2020-02-15.
  21. July 24, 2018 Here's when Omoni Oboli's new film will be released in cinemas, Pulse Nigeria
  22. Mosope Olumide, September 14, 2018 Poverty And Failure: Funke Akindele Reveals Her Greatest Fears In Life, The Net
  23. "'Your Excellency': Funke Akindele's directorial debut makes N17.5 million in 2 days". www.pulse.ng. 2019-12-17. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
  24. "Nollywood/ Nigeria No.1 movies/ films resources online". nigeriafilms.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  25. ""Why I am focusing on educating the next generation" – Funke Akindele-Bello tells CNN's 'African Voices'". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  26. "Actress Funke Akindele becomes brand ambassador for Dettol - The Cable". lifestyle.thecable.ng. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  27. "Actress Funke Akindele, Signed As Ambassador To Iroko TV - INFORMATION NIGERIA". informationng.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  28. August 27, 2018 Keystone Bank signs Actress, Funke Akindele as brand ambassador, Vanguard Nigeria
  29. November 6,2019, "The Nation"
  30. "BN Exclusive: It's Official, "Jenifa" Star Funke Akindele is a Married Woman! Photos & Details of the Beautiful Union with Her Beau Kehinde Oloyede Only On BN". bellanaija.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  31. "Funke Akindele: "Yes, My Marriage has Crashed" - Nollywood Star confirms Split – Read the Official Statement + Her Recent Interview". bellanaija.com. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  32. [http://sunnewsonline.com/marriage-to-funke-akindele-jjc-breaks-silence/ Marriage
  33. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/08/funke-akindeles-pregnancy-jamb-dominate-google-searches/
  34. http://dailypost.ng/2017/08/02/jjc-reveals-convinced-marry-funke-akindele/
  35. Fikayo Olowolagba, December 22, 2018. Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele defies prophecy, welcomes twins, Daily Post (Nigeria)Daily Post
  36. Seun Durojaiye, January 2019 Actress Funke Akindele stuns in native owambe outfit, Legit.ng
  37. "Nigerian actress fined over lockdown party". BBC News. 2020-04-06. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  38. "Coronavirus: Nigerian actress Funke Akindele arrested for Lagos party amid lockdown". BBC. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  39. Press, Fellow (2020-04-07). "Coronavirus: Funke Akindele, husband sentenced to community service". Fellow Press. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
  40. "Omoni Oboli, Funke Akindele, Omawumi: All the winners from the 2014 ELOY awards - Lifestyle - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
  41. "Winners List - Ael Awards (Aela)". Aelaawards.com. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
  42. "Ghana Movie Awards 2016: Funke Akindele wins best actress African collaboration - Movies - Pulse" (in German). Pulse.ng. Retrieved 2016-12-17.
  43. Adeleke Afolayan (4 March 2017). "AMVCA 2017: See the full list of winners". The NET.
  44. Chidumga Izuzu (4 March 2017). "Funke Akindele wins Best Actress in a Comedy". Pulse.Ng.
  45. Clifford, Igbo. "Funke Akindele Biography, Age, Early Life, Family, Education, Career, Net Worth And More". Information Guide Africa. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
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