Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has sparked a debate on social media after sharing a birthday message on Monday, the same day veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State.
Akindele marked her birthday with a message expressing gratitude to God for another year and praying 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 on Instagram.
She added that she hoped her life would continue to positively influence 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 wrote.
The post, however, attracted criticism from some social media users who questioned the timing of her birthday message as colleagues and fans gathered in Ilaro for Ogogo’s burial.
Some users described the post as insensitive, arguing that Akindele could have reduced or postponed her public birthday celebration out of respect for the late actor.
Others, however, defended the actress, arguing that Ogogo’s death should not require people celebrating their own birthdays to put their lives on hold.
One user, Joy Ikpefua, said it was unfair to criticise Akindele for acknowledging her birthday because someone else had died.
“Someone dying yesterday does not mean everyone who has a birthday today should cancel their own life,” she wrote, arguing that people could mourn Ogogo while Akindele celebrated her birthday.
Another user, Divya, similarly questioned why Akindele should be expected to suspend her birthday activities because of the actor’s death, noting that people generally continue with their responsibilities after someone dies.
Other supporters said celebrating a birthday did not mean Akindele was disrespecting Ogogo or ignoring the mourning within the Yoruba film industry.
The debate has therefore centred largely on whether public figures should exercise restraint when personal celebrations coincide with the death or burial of a colleague.
Ogogo was buried in Ilaro, his hometown, on Monday according to Islamic rites. His funeral was attended by family members, friends and several colleagues from the Yoruba film industry, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.
The veteran actor died on Sunday at the age of 66 after reportedly battling stage-four cancer.
The controversy surrounding Akindele’s birthday post comes amid widespread mourning across the Yoruba movie industry following Ogogo’s death.
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