Filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed the reasons why she will run for political office again.
The PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, has chosen Akindele as his running mate in the 2023 general elections.
During an interview on Arise TV’s Perspectives show, shared on YouTube on Saturday, the mother of two spoke about her political career.
The 46-year-old said: “So getting into politics was very important to me. I enjoyed it and will do it again. I run a studio that I’ve been running since 2000. I’ve been producing and working with a lot of people, from crew members to cast. I have a Jenifa Foundation where we help promote talent and I incorporate many young talents. We train them in filmmaking; They are always on set, whether in the hair, makeup, lighting or camera department. It’s something I love to do: empower young people and foster talent. Some say that aunty is very strict, but she brings you closer when she is strict, next to me. I love encouraging people; I can do even better if I get into a bigger space.
“For me, having been doing this for years, let me try something big. Many young people complain: “We don’t have this” or “This is bad.” Let me come in to represent the youth. That’s why I wanted to do it. And that’s why I got into politics. Yes, I enjoyed every part of it. It was quite challenging, but I enjoyed every part of it. I felt very good representing the young people. “It was a challenge.”
He stated that changing Nigeria could not be achieved in a day or four years, but political officials could plan initial initiatives.
Challenges
Mrs Akindele recounted how she was accused of running for deputy governor for reasons of popularity, money and other personal benefits.
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He said that during his campaign he learned that people were going through a lot, hence the need to defend them.
“I love that the private sector is coming in and supporting the government. That is why we should focus more on supporting the government. Reviews are good, but how can you support them too? As a young person, how can you help yourself? What is that special gift you have in you? You need to get up and do something for yourself. So getting into politics was very important for me,” she said.
Reflecting on his challenges during the campaign, he said: “You had to get out on the road, keep talking to people and keep persuading them that you could do it. She had to dig deeper into her problems and discover the real problems people faced, not just the superficial ones. That’s when you realize that people are enduring a lot in the country. You had to write everything down and think about how to offer solutions. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. You couldn’t just walk in and declare, ‘I’m this, I’m that.'”
Jenifa Foundation
Furthermore, Mrs. Akindele maintained that she created the Jenifa Foundation to nurture young talent and develop youth skills for a better Nigeria.
“Jenifa is passionate about young people. In Jenifa’s diary, she has a salon; She is always bringing people. Jenifa believes in fostering talent. I created the Jenifa Foundation, where we educate young people. We train them in the acquisition of skills and in the acquisition of vocational skills.
“We train them in cinema, which is more practical, and believing makes them believe in themselves. Trust is essential. When people tell you you can’t do it, you have to show that you can. You will receive many negative things and many no. “People are negative out there,” he added.
He urged the young and talented to focus on pursuing their dreams amidst the storm.
According to her, it is necessary to be more sensitive with the consumption of information and avoid procrastination, which she describes as a big problem.
READ ALSO: Funke Akindele’s film responsible for 14% of Nigerian cinemas’ profits in 2023
Films
The actress and director revealed that there will be a sequel to ‘A Tribe Called Judah’, her 2023 film that grossed over one billion naira at the box office.
He thanked God and his fans, acknowledging that he initially doubted the film’s potential to achieve wide acceptance.
Akindele highlighted that his upcoming film ‘Finding Me’ explores the journey of self-discovery of individuals.
“Who are you? What do you want? How do you want to live your life? Do you want to live your life based on what people say, based on what family says? That’s what ‘Finding Me’ is about.”
Lawyer Akindele announced that she will venture into biographical and epic films in 2026.