- Funke Akindele celebrated her birthday on Monday, the same day veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried.
- Some social media users criticised the actress over what they described as the insensitive timing of her birthday post.
- Others defended her, saying she had the right to celebrate her birthday while people mourned Ogogo.
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has sparked mixed reactions on social media after sharing a birthday message on Monday, August 24, the same day veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Akindele, who marked her birthday on Monday, took to social media to express gratitude to God for another year and pray for good health, long life and the grace to continue fulfilling her purpose.
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In the birthday message, the actress said her heart was filled with gratitude for all God had done, was doing and would still do in her life.
She also prayed that her life would remain a testimony and that the way she lived would inspire others to believe, dream and keep going.
The post, however, attracted criticism from some social media users because it came on the same day Ogogo was being laid to rest.
Some users questioned whether Akindele should have publicly celebrated her birthday while the Yoruba movie industry and fans were mourning the death of the veteran actor.
One X user, Adewale, criticised the actress for celebrating her birthday on the day of Ogogo’s burial, questioning whether she was aware that her senior colleague in the industry was being buried.
Another user, Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi, described the birthday post as inappropriate, arguing that the actress should have shown more sensitivity to the situation.
Victoria A also criticised Akindele, saying she should have been more conscious of the mood surrounding Ogogo’s burial.
Similarly, another social media user said Akindele had every right to celebrate her birthday but argued that the timing of the public celebration appeared insensitive.
The user noted that sometimes it was not necessarily about whether someone was right or wrong, but about knowing when to tone things down out of respect for someone who had just died.
Other critics went further, suggesting that Akindele could have postponed her public celebration until after Ogogo’s burial.
One user said the day should have been focused on Ogogo’s passing, while another argued that the actress could have shifted her celebration to the following day.
Despite the criticism, several Nigerians came to Akindele’s defence.
Some argued that the actress had no obligation to suspend her birthday because another person had died, noting that people continued to work, eat and attend to their personal responsibilities even while mourning.
One user said it was unfair to criticise Akindele for celebrating her birthday because Ogogo died, stressing that grief was personal and that another person’s birthday could still be acknowledged.
Another defender questioned why Akindele should be expected to stop celebrating her birthday, arguing that people could mourn Ogogo while she celebrated another year of her life.
Other users also pointed out that Akindele’s birthday date could not be changed and that celebrating her life did not necessarily mean she was disrespecting Ogogo or his family.
The debate has continued to generate different opinions online, with some Nigerians emphasising respect and sensitivity during periods of mourning, while others believe individuals should be allowed to observe personal milestones regardless of events happening around them.
Meanwhile, Ogogo was buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday according to Islamic rites following his death on Sunday.
His burial was attended by family members, friends and several colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.
Ogogo, a prominent figure in Yoruba-language cinema, died at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.
His death has continued to generate tributes and reactions from colleagues, fans and other stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
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