Gospel Movie Actress, Novelist, Movie Producer
“For years, I starved myself, denied myself good clothes and even avoided getting a personal car, my husband was basically the one taking care of everything in the house. Why? I was using my money from my events management business to make movies, free short movies with no hope of making any money in return… My husband even took a loan to sponsor one of my movies “POISONOUS HONEY”… Evangelism has always been my passion…” – Opeyemi Ojerinde Akintunde
This week, the spotlight is on a young, beautiful, creative and intelligent lady who is passionate about preaching the scriptures through pictures and storytelling in order to reach out to the young Christian generation who can be easily bedeviled by the wiles of the prince of this world.
Born on 27th October to the family of Deacon and Evangelist Folorunso Olufemi Ojerinde, Opeyemi started her career at a young age with support from her parents. Her mother allowed her to pursue her dreams by participating in a TV programme for children, ‘Speak Out’ which aired on NTA every Tuesday by 5 pm in the 90s and supported in her movie auditions right from when she was 15. She proceeded to study Mass Communication at Covenant University, Nigeria while developing her acting and directing skills at different film institutes including Mount Zion Institute of Christian Drama.
Besides acting in her personal movies, she has also starred mostly as the lead Actress in other Gospel Movies such as “If Tears Were Gold”. She is a prolific writer, Film producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor using her skills to spread the gospel through her media outfit ‘Deep Thots.’ Her novels include ‘That Night in Room 401’; ‘Him, Her and I’; ‘Teacher Chuks’; The Lighthouse Squad’; ‘Ishmael and Isaac‘; ‘Ghost Run’; ‘The Scientist’s God’; ‘Stepping into Maggie’s Shoe’ with some already adapted into short Christian movies.
Her biggest dream was to make big budget gospel movies but didn’t have the means. However, God made a way when a woman sponsored the multi-million Naira budget movie ‘Stepping into Maggie’s Shoe (SIMS)’ as an evangelism tool. The movie was premiered on 22nd December 2019 in Lagos. From the premiere in 2019 graced by anointed Ministers such as Dr D.K Olukoya and Pastor Sade Olukoya; Iya Adura Esther Ajayi; Tonye Cole; Prophet Samson Ayorinde and Rev Mercy Ayorinde; Pastor Gbesan Adebambo; Pastor Kehinde; Pastor Ladejola; Rev. Dr Kristilere ( CAN); Pastor Dele Balogun; Evangelist Ayangbile; Pastor Amos Fenwa; Pastor Leke Adeboye; Pastor Idowu Iluyomade; Pastor Anu Ojo; Rev and Pastor Mrs Ayemoba, Pastor Odesola; Pastor Oluwafemi of GOFAMINT; Bishop Enobong; Rev. Monsignor Anthony Obanla ( Chancellor, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese ), the movie has continued to amass nationwide success though it wasn’t available at the cinemas as initially planned because of COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSARS protest.
However, God turned the initial delay to multiplied blessings with an estimated 80 percent increase of cinemas that have agreed to show the movie. According to Opeyemi, “When we wanted to release SIMS around Easter, we had only about 10 cinemas, but when things got postponed to October 23rd due to COVID-19, the number increased to 37 cinemas. Endsars also stopped it from airing by 23rd October… GUESS WHAT? GENESIS CINEMAS has also come on board two days ago bringing in another 10 cinemas centers on board….
What does that teach us?
Your disappointment/delay may be God’s way of preparing greater opportunities for you…
STAY STRONG, your delay is OVER….and Great is the reward God has for you!”
With this movie, she hopes to change the perception that Christian content are not worth showing in the cinemas. In her words, “ For all those who knew me way back from University…This has been my passion…that Faith Based Movies will go far and break barriers…Most Cinemas don’t want to accept Gospel movies but SIMS ( STEPPING INTO MAGGIE’S SHOE)…GOD made a Way… starting from NOVEMBER 6th, as the Lord WILLS, SIMS will be in over 45 cinemas across Nigeria.”
She got married on 27th November 2008 to Mr Akinwale Akintunde and the union is blessed with two children.
Habakkuk 2:2-3
And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Sources: Opeyemi Ojerinde Page, Deep Thots Online, Nairaland webpage
