DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Funke Akindele faces backlash over birthday post on Ogogo’s burial day

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Nollywood actress Funke Akindele is facing social media backlash for posting a birthday message on the same day veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo, was buried.
  • Critics accused Akindele of insensitivity and failing to "read the room" during a period of mourning for a respected colleague.
  • While some acknowledged her right to celebrate her birthday, they argued the timing was inappropriate and lacked respect for the deceased and his family.

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has ignited a firestorm on social media after posting a birthday message on Monday, the same day veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo, was laid to rest.

Today is my birthday. My heart is full of gratitude to God for all He has done, all He is doing, and all that is still to come.

— Funke AkindeleHer birthday message posted on social media.

Akindele, who celebrated her birthday on Monday, shared a message expressing gratitude to God for her life and praying for continued good health and a positive impact on others. "Today is my birthday. My heart is full of gratitude to God for all He has done, all He is doing, and all that is still to come," she wrote on Instagram. She added, "May my life remain a testimony, and may the way I live inspire others to believe, to dream and to keep going. Thank You, Lord. Happy birthday to me."

However, her celebratory post drew sharp criticism from numerous social media users who questioned the timing. Many felt it was insensitive to post birthday wishes on the day of Ogogo's burial, especially given his standing in the film industry. Ogogo passed away on Sunday at the age of 66.

Funke Akindele!!! Today of all days! Are you aware that Taiwo Hassan, your senior colleague in the film industry, is dead and will be buried today? Don’t you read the room?

— Adewale (@SoEdunOkanESita)A social media user's criticism of Akindele's birthday post timing.

One X user, Adewale (@SoEdunOkanESita), directly criticized Akindele, asking, "Funke Akindele!!! Today of all days! Are you aware that Taiwo Hassan, your senior colleague in the film industry, is dead and will be buried today? Don’t you read the room?" Others echoed this sentiment, with Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi (@ola_kish) writing, "Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo."

Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo.

— Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi (@ola_kish)Another social media user expressing disapproval of Akindele's post.

While acknowledging that Akindele has the right to celebrate her birthday, many users stressed the importance of sensitivity and respecting the mourning period. "Mrs Funke Akindele, I understand that life goes on and everyone has the right to celebrate their birthday, but posting a birthday celebration so soon after the passing of Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) feels insensitive," commented omoiyanofi (@papiexploring). The consensus among critics was that while not necessarily wrong, the timing demonstrated a lack of consideration for the somber occasion.

Mrs Funke Akindele, I understand that life goes on and everyone has the right to celebrate their birthday, but posting a birthday celebration so soon after the passing of Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) feels insensitive.

— omoiyanofi (@papiexploring)A user explaining why they found Akindele's post insensitive.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog