Ilaro, Nigeria: Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele drew mixed reactions on social media on Monday, August 24, 2026, after publishing a birthday message on the same day veteran Nigerian actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Okay News reports that Funke Akindele published an Instagram post marking her birthday in which she wrote, “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 added, “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.”
Users on social media platform X criticized the timing of the post following the burial of Taiwo Hassan, who died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at age 66. An X user named Adewale said, “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.” Another X user named Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi said, “Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo.”
An X user named omoiyanofi said, “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.”
Other social media users defended Funke Akindele, stating that personal milestones should not be halted by the death of a colleague. An X user named Joy Ikpefua said, “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 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.”
Taiwo Hassan was buried in Ilaro according to Islamic rites. The funeral was attended by family members, friends, and Nigerian film industry colleagues including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin, and Toyosi Adesanya. Taiwo Hassan died after battling stage-four cancer.
