How Funke Akindele is surviving her failed marriage and making life count

Almaroof is fine, Akindele is

Yes, Akindele’s ex-husband may be doing fine without her, but she herself couldn’t be doing any finer; and everyone can see!

The very talented Nollywood star, who has a niche for interpreting comic roles in a thrilling and brilliant manner, continues to record astounding success in her career. She is the Best Actress in a Comedy award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) and she’s been involved in multiple endorsements, must-watch movies, and a film school. Life, for Jenifa, might have just begun.

The 37-year-old has come a long way since debuting in the 1999 family-oriented TV series, I need to Know, sponsored by United Nations. Her very remarkable role in the Yoruba movie, Jenifa, which she also wrote, shot her to superstar status and ever since, there has been no going back. The first half of 2014 alone has been particularly successful for the Lagos-born actress.

In February 2014, she emerged the new face of sports betting outfit, 1960Bet, netting some millions of naira in the process. She features in the commercials shot for the company, and the ad currently run on both on national and international television.

The following month, she received the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) for Best Actress in a Comedy for her brilliant comic role in the movie, Return of Sheri koko. So brilliant was she in interpreting her comic movie roles that she was nominated thrice for the same category, the other two being for her performances in the movies, The Fighter and The Hero. Completing the nominations for the category were Mary Ogbonna of Clinic Matters, Jackie Appiah for Cheaters and Yvonne Okoro of The Contract.

In June, it was revealed that Jenifa — alongside fellow Nollywood stars, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha and Ali Nuhu — were made brand ambassadors for worldwide detergent company, OMO, in what was yet another multi-million naira deal.

The Nollywood star aspires to produce more artistes from her Scene One School of drama, which held its first graduation in December, 2013. The Scene One School of Drama is a sub-unit of the Jenifa Foundation set up as a platform for youths to showcase and develop their creative arts talents. Established in 2011 by Funke Akindele, the courses offered include Etiquette and Manners, Introduction to Drama and Music, and Traditional and Contemporary dance.

Akindele has also been featuring in both English and Yoruba language movies. She starred in the world-acclaimed stage play, For Coloured Girls with Carol king (who played the role of her mother in I need to know), Osas Ighodaro, Matilda Obasekei, Oreka Godis, Diana Yekini and Ade Laoye.

In 2011, Flytime Productions shot the adaptation of the iconic play, which was first stage-acted by a  different cast featuring Joke Silva, Tiwa Savage and Ireti Doyle. Directed by award-winning playwright/stage director, Wole Oguntokun, and produced by Keke Hammond, the film depicts the interconnected lives of nine women exploring their lives and struggles as women of colour.

After co-hosting the 2011 Nigerian Entertainment Awards, Akindele has been chosen along with comedian, Bovi and media personality, Gbemi Olateru Olagbegi to host the 2014 edition.

She was also nominated for 2014 NEA’s Lead actress in film award along side fellow Nollywood actresses, Nse Ikpe Etim, Daniella Okeke, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha and Damilola Adegbite.

Well, marriage is good, but there’s surely more to life than marriage. And if there is anyone proving that at the moment, it has to be Jenifa!