IKORODU’S MANY GIFTS TO NOLLYWOOD

By Animashaun Samiat Ayomide.

Ikorodu is a large city in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located to the north-east of Lagos state, along the Lagos Lagoon and shares a boundary with Ogun State. At the 2006 census, the population was 535,619. It is the largest local government in Lagos State. According to history, Indigenous settlers of Ikorodu immigrated from Sagamu in Ogun state.

Apart from the fact that Ikorodu is the hub of film making for the Yoruba arm of Nollywood, most of the top Yoruba actors also reside in Ikorodu. While some of these Nollywood actors come to Ikorodu to use the environment for filming, and some find Ikorodu accommodating enough to build their homes, there are some Ikorodu indigenes that are doing well in the industry and making the  great people of Ikorodu proud.

The popular celebrities from Ikorodu are as follow;

FUNKE AKINDELE

Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele-Bello  born 24th August, 1977 is popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa-   a Nigerian cross-over film actor and producer. Akindele 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. She rose to fame for her role in the movie titled Jenifa which earned her the nickname Jenifa. The Omo Ghetto trilogy contributed to her rising star. Funke Akindele played the lead role in the show Jenifa’s Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a comedy category at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

Akindele born in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the second of three children (two girls and one boy). Her mother is a medical doctor while her father is a retired school principal. She attended Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos State. She obtained a National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the former Ogun State Polytechnic, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. She earned a Law degree from the University of Lagos. Funke had a colourful wedding in 2012. There are claims that her marriage did not work due to her husband’s  (Kehinde Oloyede Adeola) extra-marital affairs. Nobody was sure what happened but they got a divorce in 2013. She gave love a second chance when she tied the knot with Nigerian rapper Abdul Rasheed Bello widely known as JJC Skillz. The secret wedding took place in London in May 2016. News went viral that she was going to deliver twins in London. Her husband JJC has three children from other women.

 

IKORODU BOIS

Ikorodu Bois is a Nigerian online comedy group that recreates and mimics multi-million dollar music videos, Hollywood movie trailers and epic pictures. Ikorodu Bois comprises of three siblings namely, Babatunde Sanni, Muiz Sanni, Malik Sanni, and their cousin, Fawas Aina. The three young boys are usually involved in the acting of the videos while their eldest brother, Babatunde Sanni does the editing of the videos. He also doubles as the group’s manager.

 

The group makes use of common household items to depict top gears used in movies. Popular among these items is the use of local wheelbarrows to replicate luxury cars, an idea which was first exhibited by Kaptain Kush. The name Ikorodu Bois is dubbed from a town called Ikorodu in Lagos, Nigeria, where the boys live.

 

BOLANLE NINALOWO

Bolanle Ninalowo, popularly known as Nino B, is a Nigerian actor, accountant, and entrepreneur. Ninalowo is among the most talented actors in the Nollywood industry. He became famous after starring in the movie Desperate Baby Mama. Besides acting, he has also contributed to the production of comedy movies in Nigeria .

Bolanle Ninalowo was on 7th May, 1980. The actor hails from Ikorodu , he is also given birth to in Ikorodu. Bolanle attended his primary and secondary school in Nigeria, he later relocated to Chicago, USA to study for a bachelor’s degree in Accounting at Devry University. After graduating from the university, Ninalowo Bolanle continued with his master’s education and graduated with a Masters in Marketing from Keller Graduate School Management, USA. Bolanle is married to Bunmi Ninalowo who is a resident of Atlanta , USA . The couple has been married for over 17 years and the marriage is blessed with two children.

 

ADEDOYIN HABIBAT KUKOYI

Adedoyin Kukoyi is a popular actor, compere and On Air Personality. She is famed for her Yoruba celebrity interview on African Magic – Gbajumo Osere.  The talented actor, fashionista and great dancer has featured in more than 50 Nigerian movies.

The versatile actress and TV Presenter was born in Ikorodu, Lagos State on 24th April, 1976 . Adedoyin Kukoyi is happily married with children-3 children, 2 boys (Raqeem Ayomide and Ayobami) and a girl.

 

Doyin as she is fondly called by her admirer attended popular Oriwu College, Ikorodu Lagos State and studied Mass Communication at the Ogun State Polytechnic, now Moshood Abiola Polytehcnic, (MAPOLY) after which she worked with different media houses at different times.

Her first Nollywood breakthrough was in 2007 in a film titled Closet. The fluent Yoruba speaking actor has been severally nominated and won many laurels.

 

 

Picture credits- internet