Entertainment
Colleagues, Fans Pour Tributes As Funke Akindele Marks

Nollywood star Funke Akindele was showered with warm tributes on social media on Sunday as colleagues, protégés, and fans marked her 48th birthday, praising the actress-producer for her friendship, mentorship and contributions to the film industry.
Akindele, best known for her comic creation Jenifa and the popular television series and films that grew from it, has long been celebrated as a mentor and role model to younger talents.
On Sunday, however, tributes poured in beyond her screen achievements to highlight her enduring friendships and influence on emerging entertainers.
In a viral post, skitmaker Akinyoola Ayoola, popularly known as Kamo State, and acclaimed as Akindele’s adopted son, paid tribute to Akindele with a birthday song and an affectionate caption that referred to her as “Grandma Sonia” and “OLUFUNKE Ayotunde.”
READ ALSO:I’m A Feminist But I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives – Funke Akindele
He posted, “Happy Birthday Grandma Sonia, lyami Olufunke Ayotunde…Words can’t express how much | appreciate you. You’ve always been more than just a godmother to me, you’ve been a source of strength, love, and unwavering support.
“Thank you for the countless ways you’ve shown me kindness, for believing in me, and for always being there, no matter what. I’m incredibly grateful for your presence in my life…Enjoy your day, lya Beji, Alase gbogbo FaanTV, JENIFA Kan, Lefty Miii,”
Popular actress Eniola Badmus, posting as @eniola_badmus on Instagram, described the box-office star as “more than just a friend,” calling her a “playmate, my gist partner, my safe place” and a source of joy.
“Thank you for all the memories and for making life so much brighter,” Badmus wrote, praying that the new year brings Akindele “endless joy, success, and blessings.”
READ ALSO:Funke Akindele’s ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ Becomes First Nollywood Film To Hit N1bn
Another well-wisher, @tobimakinde, lauded Akindele as a “true trailblazer, luminary and exemplar of excellence,” wishing her “greater strength, peace, and overflowing joy” and praying for continued success and good health.
Fans across platforms joined in the celebrations, sharing clips, photos and messages under birthday posts, with many praising her career achievements and role as a mentor in Nollywood.
@Metalistix commented, “Happy 48th Birthday, Funke Akindele! Congratulations to you on this special day. Many of us grew up watching you in our teens, and we’re still watching and celebrating you as adults – and we know we’ll continue cheering you on even in old age. Cheers to a beautiful life, more success, and endless joy. Keep shining, Funke!”
@Tina_rayx described Akindele as “The Wizkid of Nollywood. Number 1. Nobody comes close. Aura upon Aura.”
READ ALSO:VIDEO: Funke Akindele, Ex-husband JJC Skillz Reunite At Movie Premiere
@TowFunFun posted, “Happy birthday to the most successful actress in Nigerian history. The mother of many of us.”
Meanwhile, the creator of Jenifa used the occasion to reveal details of her next big project.
In a birthday message to fans, she announced her upcoming film Behind the Scenes, set for release in December 2025.
She said, “It’s my birthday today, and I feel so fulfilled. I’m graciously grateful to God for the grace to keep telling our stories… I’m using this special day to reveal my blockbuster movie, which premieres in December 2025, Behind The Scenes.”
Entertainment
I’ve Been Blacklisted In Music Industry For 13 Years – Seun Kuti
Grammy-nominated Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti has claimed that he has been blacklisted in the Nigerian music industry for about 13 years due to his style of music.
He explained that because his late father Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his contemporaries used their music as a form of protest against bad governance, the government invested heavily in vain artists while targeting conscious musicians.
Speaking in a recent episode of the Saleh Meditate podcast, Kuti said government’s interference has significantly affected the quality and impact of modern Nigerian music.
He, however, said being blacklisted in Nigeria doesn’t affect him much, stressing that the country is just a fraction of his fanbase.
READ ALSO:
He said, “The impact of Fela and his contemporaries who spoke truth to power sacred the government. They made the government realised the power of artistry. So, the government invested more in artists who don’t make conscious music than artists who sing about realities.
“When I am in Nigeria, I don’t fear to say whatever I want to say. That is a lot of people are saying that I should be cancelled. I have been cancelled for about 13 years now after I performed conscious music at former Lagos State Governor Ambode’s event. Even before then, my music was heavily restricted.
“I have been cancelled for long. People think I am not cancelled because I am doing well. Nigeria has cancelled me long time but Nigeria is just like a really small percentage of my market. So, being cancelled doesn’t really affect me.”
He added that artists who are scared of being blacklisted are only scared because Nigeria makes up the bulk of their fanbase.
Entertainment
My Beef With Wizkid Is For Life – Seun Kuti
Maverick singer Seun Kuti has ruled out reconciliation with Afrobeats star, Wizkid, declaring that their rift is lifelong.
DAILY POST recalls that Seun Kuti and Wizkid fell apart after the latter claimed he was greater than Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in response to the former’s directive to fans to stop comparing the Ojuelegba crooner to the late music legend.
READ ALSO:How My Elder Sister Opposed Selling Fela’s Catalogue – Femi Kuti
When asked in a recent podcast if he has settled his beef with Wizkid, Seun Kuti said he can’t reconcile with the Starboy boss because he disrespected his late dad.
The host asked: “Have you and Wizkid settled your Beef?”
Kuti replied: “It is on for life. I don’t have anything to say about him but it is on for life. You don’t say things about my dad and then it is fine. There is no coming back from that.”
Entertainment
Why I Stopped Attending Church Service – Funke Akindele
Famous Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, has opened up on why she lost interest in attending church service.
The actress who made the revelation in a Snapchat video on Sunday, stated that she stopped going to church because attention often shifted to her rather than the service.
While explaining that she’s always the one they take pictures of, the actress said she now joins church service online.
READ ALSO:Drama As Eniola Badmus Challenges Funke Akindele To Celebrity Boxing Fight
Akindele said “Anytime I go to church, I am always the one they take pictures of. So I will join online.”
Recall that in 2022, Akindele openly identified herself with the Celestial Church of Christ.
“Every time I have challenges I go to the Celestial church quietly at night for solutions. But I have to stop hiding and publicly identify with the church”, she said.
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