Popular Nigerian actress Ekene Umenwa has revealed that she was once pressured to renounce her Christian faith in order to achieve success in Nollywood.
In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, Umenwa recounted how certain individuals in the film industry advised her to "drop Jesus" if she wanted to advance her career when she first joined Nollywood.
"When I came to Nollywood many years ago with my Jesus, I was told by some folks to drop Jesus & Mary to move with the flow so that I can make it. They said 'Ekene this game no be Jesus Jesus oo,'" the actress wrote alongside a video of herself dancing to the gospel song 'No Turning Back'.
Umenwa explained that she refused to compromise her beliefs despite the pressure. "I was like chimo, is that so? Never. I ran to my father, and Jesus told me to move ahead," she stated.
The actress, who rose to fame following her role in the 2013 movie 'Black Choir', expressed gratitude that many others in the industry have now joined her in proclaiming their faith. "I thank God today that many people have joined me to proclaimed Jesus in Nollywood," she added.
Umenwa has featured in over a hundred films throughout her career and continues to be a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry while maintaining her religious convictions.
