Nollywood star Fathia Williams has addressed the recent wave of responses surrounding her upcoming movie, Efunroye: The Unicorn, which is dedicated to exploring the life of the historical figure Madam Efunroye Tinubu. In a post shared on her Twitter account, Williams clarified her intentions and addressed some misconceptions that have emerged following the announcement.

Fathia Williams' Response:

"MY RESPONSE TO THE REACTIONS TRAILING MY UPCOMING MOVIE, 'EFUNROYE TINUBU'

• Fathia Balogun

The reactions generated by the announcement of my upcoming movie, "Efunroye: The Unicorn," underscore just how passionate we all are about our history and our nation, Nigeria. I am deeply thankful to both my loyal fans and non-fans for the overwhelming support this project is receiving.

With over six million views on my post, I do not take your support for granted—your interest and feedback are truly appreciated.

However, the passion and emotions surrounding this project (especially on Twitter), while inspiring, have led to some misconceptions that I would like to clarify.

Firstly, Efunroye: The Unicorn is not a promotional piece intended to glorify or whitewash a divisive historical figure like Madam Efunroye Tinubu. Nor does it carry any political intent or affiliation. This film is purely a work of artistic interpretation and storytelling. As a filmmaker, my goal is to bring Nigerian stories to life on screen, and this is no exception.

The movie is an attempt to present Madam Tinubu's life in a balanced and nuanced way, showcasing her triumphs, challenges, and the complex legacy she left behind. It is not an effort to reshape or glorify the historical narrative.

Like all historical figures, Madam Tinubu's story is layered, and this film aims to capture both her strengths and controversies. I want to emphasize that Efunroye: The Unicorn is first and foremost a creative expression meant to entertain, educate, and spark thoughtful conversations. It is not a documentary nor a political statement.

As with any artistic work, it draws from history but also takes creative liberties to make the story more engaging for modern audiences.

I believe that through this film, we can explore important parts of our history, but it is important to understand that it remains a work of fiction inspired by real events. To clarify further, Efunroye: The Unicorn has not yet been filmed. The project is currently in its development and pre-production phases. I am dedicated to ensuring that this story is told in the most authentic and impactful way possible.

This is a significant project, and my team and I are working diligently to ensure that it comes to life with the care and attention it deserves. I deeply appreciate the passion this movie has stirred, and I hope that when it is released, viewers will approach it with an open mind and appreciate it as the work of art it was always intended to be.

Let's continue the conversations about our history and culture, but let's also remember that film, at its core, is a medium for storytelling and entertainment. Thank you all once again for your support, and I look forward to sharing this project with you soon."

Public Reactions to the Announcement

The initial announcement of Efunroye: The Unicorn generated mixed reactions online, with many expressing concerns about the portrayal of Madam Tinubu. Some Twitter users voiced strong opposition, with one user saying:

"@noobsaaibot: This Woman was a slave trader, in fact, she was one of the people who didn’t want slavery to end. I’ve always wondered why people like her are celebrated."

Another echoed similar sentiments:

"@agodliveshere: Same you, Africans who say you are victims of slavery and forced labour by the Whites are now building monuments and making movies to honour your own people who sold you as slaves to whites. You hate the slave buyers but are hailing the slave sellers as 'unicorn' who 're-wrote history'. The yoke is heavy."

Fan Reactions to Her Clarification

Following Williams' response, many fans expressed gratitude and offered advice for the project. One user commented:

"@GeniusHawlah: Thank you, Ms Fathia. A quick one, since it hasn't been filmed. Please do audition to get befitting actors/actresses for the project. 🙏I'm actually begging. 🧎🏻 It'll be a first sight turn off when we see the same set of people in Lisabi, Jagunjagun, Lakatabu, etc., changing clothes to act this one again. 😫 Nollywood should start auditioning for their characters, so that Mr Macaroni won't have to force himself to speak Egba the most demoralizing way I've ever heard it, or Kelvin Ikeduba acting Egba indigen.🙏 Use the most qualified artistes, not necessarily stars all through. Thank you ma!"

Another expressed hopes for an accurate historical portrayal:

"@Soulmedika: It is important to present history accurately, I hope you are able to do that with this project. All the best!"

In an earlier report, we noted that Efunroye: The Unicorn would explore the life of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, with Williams aiming to provide a balanced and nuanced view of her complex legacy.