Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed that her mother sold her jewellery to ensure she and her siblings received quality education.
Akindele made this known during a tearful interview with media personality, Nancy Isime, on Saturday, where she recounted her childhood and the sacrifices her late mother made for her success.
According to the “Everybody Loves Jenifa” producer, her mother stood firm in raising four children as a single parent after things didn’t work out between her and their father.
“Losing my mum did a lot to me. It did a lot because as a single parent, dad also tried, he tried, things just didn’t work out well. Mom was there raising four children. I was really tough, when you are looking for a rebellious child not wanting to sit in class, just wanted to act, dance. I was.” she said.
The actress, who has become one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful filmmakers, said her mother insisted on education before acting.
“Mom would force me you have to go to school before you act. My dad wanted me to be a lawyer, but mom was always there. She was there. She was firm, she was sweet, driving me down to auditions in her 504 without AC. She would ask, ‘did they give me?’ I would respond, ‘they gave me just extra,’ she would respond, ‘you have to do it, at least start from somewhere.’”
Fighting back tears, she added, “I thank God I was able to take care of her until she passed. She did well. She raised me well.”
Akindele further disclosed that her mother, a gynecologist, did all she could to see her children succeed.
“My mom was a gynecologist. She was. She did everything to be successful and to ensure that the children are successful. My mom raised me to be strong, not to take no for an answer.”
The actress recalled being a difficult child, revealing she changed schools several times and even lied to her mother to get her way.
“Good mothers are not easy to come by. Because I remember I went to six primary schools. I was very rebellious. I wanted to change my school. I would go and lie to my mom. They would beat me up. Mum would beat you. She would pamper you. She would do everything just to make sure you are the best.”
Sharing one of the most emotional parts of her mother’s sacrifice, Akindele said, “She went through a lot. There were times there was no money, but she gave her all. We went to the best schools. She would sell her jewellery., She went through a lot, so bad to just make sure we had the best education. We had the best life. And I know she’s happy wherever she is now.”
The emotional revelation has since stirred reactions on social media, with many Nigerians praising Akindele for honouring her late mother’s legacy.
My mom sold her jewellery so her children could go to school — Funke Akindele
By Musa Adekunle
Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed that her mother sold her jewellery to ensure she and her siblings received quality education.
Akindele made this known during a tearful interview with media personality Nancy Isime on Saturday, where she recounted her childhood and the sacrifices her late mother made for her success.
According to the “Everybody Loves Jenifa” producer, her mother stood firm in raising four children as a single parent after things didn’t work out between her and their father.
“Losing my mum did a lot to me. It did a lot because as a single parent, dad also tried but things just didn’t work out well. Mom was there raising four children. I was really tough. When you are looking for a rebellious child not wanting to sit in class, just wanted to act, dance, I was,” she said.
The actress, who has become one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful filmmakers, said her mother insisted on education before acting.
“Mom would force me, ‘You have to go to school before you act.’ My dad wanted me to be a lawyer, but mom was always there. She was there. She was firm, she was sweet, driving me down to auditions in her 504 without AC. She would ask, ‘Did they give me?’ I would respond, ‘They gave me just extra.’ She would respond, ‘You have to do it, at least start from somewhere.’”
Fighting back tears, she added, “I thank God I was able to take care of her until she passed. She did well. She raised me well.”
Akindele further disclosed that her mother, a gynaecologist, did all she could to see her children succeed.
“My mom was a gynaecologist. She was. She did everything to be successful and to ensure that the children are successful. My mom raised me to be strong, not to take no for an answer.”
The actress recalled being a difficult child, revealing she changed schools several times and even lied to her mother to get her way.
“Good mothers are not easy to come by. Because I remember I went to six primary schools. I was very rebellious. I wanted to change my school. I would go and lie to my mom. They would beat me up. Mum would beat you. She would pamper you. She would do everything just to make sure you are the best.”
Sharing one of the most emotional parts of her mother’s sacrifice, Akindele said, “She went through a lot. There were times there was no money, but she gave her all. We went to the best schools. She would sell her jewellery. She went through a lot, so bad, just to make sure we had the best education. We had the best life. And I know she’s happy wherever she is now.”
The emotional revelation has since stirred reactions on social media, with many Nigerians praising Akindele for honouring her late mother’s legacy.
