Ogogo's Funeral Day: Funke Akindele's Birthday Post Draws Public Outcry

Prominent Nollywood actress and film producer, Funke Akindele, has found herself at the center of a social media storm following a birthday tribute she posted on Monday. This coincided with the funeral rites of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, affectionately known as Ogogo, which took place in Ilaro, Ogun State, on the very same day.

Akindele, celebrating her own birthday on Monday, used an Instagram post to convey profound appreciation to God for reaching another year. Her message included prayers for sustained good health, longevity, and the divine grace to persistently pursue her calling. She penned, "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." Furthermore, she expressed a wish for her life to positively influence others, stating, "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."

Nonetheless, her celebratory message swiftly drew disapproval from a segment of social media users. They specifically challenged the appropriateness of her timing, given that it coincided with the interment of Ogogo, who had passed away just the day before, Sunday, at 66 years old.

An X user identified as Adewale (@SoEdunOkanESita) lambasted Akindele for marking her birthday on the very day Ogogo was being laid to rest. Adewale wrote, "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? Everyone will die o. It is Ogogo today, no one knows who is next tomorrow. What you guys in the Nollywood are doing is not humane. You show no sense of humanity. Well, Ogogo did not die a sudden death even though how it happened is sad. He would have been 67 years old in October. Everyone will reap all they sow."

Similarly, Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi (@ola_kish), another X user, labeled the birthday message as unfitting. "Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo," read his post. Victoria A (@iamzioraa) equally expressed criticism towards the film star, suggesting she ought to have demonstrated greater sensitivity to the widespread grief following Ogogo's demise. Victoria stated, "Aunty Funke should at least read the room, Nigerians are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And she is posting about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo."

In a related sentiment, omoiyanofi (@papiexploring) acknowledged Akindele's entitlement to celebrate her birthday, but found the timing of her post to be notably insensitive. The user commented, "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. Sometimes, it’s not about whether you’re right or wrong to celebrate. It’s about knowing when to tone things down out of respect for someone who has just passed away."

AMICABLU (@Gbalode_), another user on X, indicated that Akindele's choice to commemorate her birthday concurrently with the burial of her colleague, the late Taiwo Hassan 'Ogogo', was unsettling. "Funke Akindele celebrating her birthday the same day people are mourning her colleague late Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ is being held doesn’t sit well with me. For someone of her stature and influence in the Nigerian entertainment industry, I expected a little more sympathy and sensitivity. At times like this, some situations call for restraint and respect," AMICABLU posted. The user ÀDÌGÚN the Bald Agbẹjọ́rò (@adigunagbejoro) also characterized the birthday update as lacking sensitivity. "Hmm To be honest, this birthday post seems insensitive. Today is the day Ogogo is being laid to rest, and it is not like he passed away long ago, he had just died yesterday. Humanity should come first. The movie industry is mourning. If Funke Akindele did not post about her birthday, people would understand why. But posting about her birthday on the day he is being laid to rest? I don’t think it demonstrates emotional intelligence," was the comment from ÀDÌGÚN.

KAN’EL (@i_am_Abiodun_) suggested that Akindele might have deferred her birthday festivities. "If I were you Aunty Funke, I woulda forgo the celebration of my birth for the year. Today should be all about the passing of Ogogo. But we are not the same person. Happy birthday to you and I wish you long life in good health. I wish for you to continue to prosper," KAN’EL wrote. Likewise, OLA OF IBADAN (@h0llaOla) proposed that Akindele could have simply delayed her celebration. "Funke Akindele is celebrating her birthday the same day people are mourning her colleague late Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) who d!ed yesterday. Aunty Funke could have shifted it till tomorrow out of respect but we all know what we are doing," OLA OF IBADAN remarked.

Conversely, some social media users came to Akindele's defense, asserting that her personal birthday celebration ought not to be conflated with the passing of Ogogo. Joy Ikpefua (@joy_ciana) argued that it was unjust to criticize the actress for observing her birthday simply because another individual had passed away. Ikpefua commented, "Anyone mocking Funke Akindele for celebrating her birthday today because Ogogo died yesterday is being very silly and, frankly,..."