Funke Akindele and Ogogo Photo: inshot
By Our Reporter
Netizens have lampooned
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, for sharing glamorous photos to celebrate her 49th birthday on Monday, August 24, 2026, a day which coincided with the burial of veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who passed away on Sunday after a battle with stage-four cancer.
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 continue fulfilling 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 in an Instagram post.
She also prayed that her life would have a positive impact on others.
“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,” she added.
Her post, however, attracted criticism from some social media users, who questioned the timing of the birthday message amid the burial of Ogogo, who died at the age of 66.
One X user, Adewale (@SoEdunOkanESita), criticised Akindele for celebrating her birthday on the day of Ogogo’s burial.
“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,” he wrote.
Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi wrote, “Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo.”
Another user, OAT~AZEEZ, questioned why the actress did not postpone her birthday post, writing: “Why you don’t shift your birthday to another day, you just lost prominent person in your industry which it come for sober reflection. Remember that death is inevitable, all of us will go one day oo.”
ZBSS also criticised the timing of the post, saying, “Wrong timing, Aunty Funke. Very wrong timing. And he was one of your bosses at the Odunfa Caucus. When they organised that public prayer for late Mr. Ogogo the other day, I said there was so much fake love and pretence in the industry. This is just another example. It is well with us o.”
Constantinople also questioned the decision to share the birthday photos, despite acknowledging Akindele’s earlier condolence message.
“A colleague of yours just died even though you sent your condolences yesterday and so? A colleague and a legend but here u are posting photo shot coz you’re too hungry to post on ur birthday. What a good human being you are. Congratulations hbd! Hurrrrraaayy yeye.”
Another commenter, KAN’EL, said Akindele could have chosen not to celebrate publicly for the year, although the user still wished her well.
“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.”
Another commenter also questioned the decision to share the birthday photos, arguing that Akindele should have considered the timing given Ogogo’s death and burial.
The user wrote, “Since you are not throwing a party for the birthday, why not pause on this post? Y’all, before you rant like foolish fans, let me ask you, if that was her dad yesterday, will she post about her birthday today? It is well.”
However, other social media users defended Akindele, arguing that her birthday celebration should not be linked to Ogogo’s death.
Joy Ikpefua (@joy_ciana) said it was unfair to criticise the actress for celebrating her birthday because another person had died.
“Anyone mocking Funke Akindele for celebrating her birthday today because Ogogo died yesterday is being very silly and, frankly, insensitive. Please, ask them if they have eaten today. Ask them if they went to work today. Have they paused their own lives today to mourn someone who died? Most people have continued with their lives because, as painful as death is, life does not simply stop because someone has died,” she wrote.
She added, “Someone dying yesterday does not mean everyone who has a birthday today should cancel their own life, especially when they had no personal relationship with the deceased. You can mourn someone’s death and still acknowledge that another person’s life deserves to be celebrated. Grief is personal. Birthday celebrations are personal too. We need to stop policing how other people respond to death.”
Similarly iRoyal (@theonlyiroyal) also defended Akindele, saying, “So she should not celebrate her birthday because of someone’s death? A day that doesn’t come twice in a year. Nigerians should please stop being inconsiderate and allow her to celebrate her birthday. It doesn’t invalidate the ongoing mourning of Ogogo.”
Ogogo was buried in Ilaro, his hometown, on Monday according to Islamic rites, following his death on Sunday.
The veteran actor’s burial was attended by family members, friends and colleagues, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.
Source: Eagleonline (apart from headline and first paragraph)
