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

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has faced mixed reactions on social media after sharing a birthday message on Monday, the same day veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State.

 

Akindele, who marked her birthday on Monday, expressed gratitude to God for another year and prayed for good health, long life and the grace to fulfil her purpose.

 

“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 also prayed that her life would positively impact others, saying, “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.”

 

Her post, however, drew criticism from some social media users who questioned the timing of the celebration amid the burial of Ogogo, who died on Sunday at the age of 66.

 

Some users described the post as insensitive, arguing that Akindele, given her stature in the Nigerian entertainment industry, could have shown restraint out of respect for her late colleague.

 

One X user, Adewale, said Akindele should have been more sensitive to the mourning surrounding Ogogo’s death.

 

Another user, Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi, described the birthday post as inappropriate, while Victoria A also criticised the actress for celebrating on the day of Ogogo’s burial.

 

Other users, including omoiyanofi and AMICABLU, acknowledged that Akindele had the right to celebrate her birthday but argued that the timing of the post appeared insensitive.

 

However, several social media users defended the actress, maintaining that Ogogo’s death should not require everyone celebrating a birthday on the same day to suspend their personal lives.

 

Joy Ikpefua said it was unfair to criticise Akindele for celebrating her birthday because another person had died, arguing that life continues despite grief.

 

“If someone dies yesterday, it does not mean everyone who has a birthday today should cancel their own life,” she wrote, adding that grief and birthday celebrations could coexist.

 

Other users, including Divya, Mhiz Zee, Walking My Path and iRoyal, similarly argued that Akindele was entitled to celebrate another year of her life and that doing so did not diminish the mourning of Ogogo.

 

Ogogo was buried in Ilaro, his hometown, on Monday according to Islamic rites.

 

The burial was attended by family members, friends and colleagues, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.

 

The veteran actor, who was prominent in Yoruba-language cinema, died at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.