Renowned Nollywood actress, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, Funke Akindele, has made a passionate appeal to citizens to remain resilient and steadfast in prayer for the nation’s revival, as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Day anniversary, THENEWSCREDIT reports. 

Akindele’s charge comes at a pivotal time when millions of citizens across the country are grappling with unprecedented economic hardships and escalating inflation. In a heartfelt video broadcast shared via her official Instagram page on Thursday, the box-office queen emphasized the deep value of patriotism, asserting that despite the current socio-economic challenges, Nigeria remains the ultimate home and heritage for its people.

The award-winning actress urged the populace to look beyond the immediate socio-economic gloom and intentionally celebrate the nation`s milestone, viewing the anniversary as a symbol of shared identity. She maintained that marking the country`s birthday is a duty of love and solidarity that all citizens owe to their homeland, irrespective of prevailing difficulties.

“Today is Nigeria’s birthday; we have to celebrate despite what is going on," Akindele stated in the viral clip, encouraging her vast audience to keep hope alive. "Nigeria is our own. It’s my country, this is where I earn a living from."

By highlighting her personal connection to the country as the place where she builds her career and livelihoods, Akindele sought to inspire a sense of shared ownership among her followers. Her message resonated with the idea that the collective prosperity of Nigerians is intrinsically tied to the survival and stability of the nation.

While acknowledging the deep-seated grievances and difficult realities facing everyday Nigerians, the filmmaker expressed unwavering optimism about the future. She noted that the country’s journey toward greatness requires a blend of hard work, persistent faith, and a refusal to give up on the Nigerian dream.

"We are going to keep celebrating Nigeria as our country. Nigeria will be great by God’s grace. Let’s keep praying for Naija," she concluded, rallying citizens to maintain spiritual steadfastness for the collective good of the republic.