Funke Akindele also frowned at the death wish on her kids, saying she was depressed and dealing with her own “trying moments too”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ace Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele has refuted claims that she ignored appeals to come to the aid of late actress, Jumoke Aderounmu, during her battle with sickness that eventually claimed her life.
TheNiche had earlier reported that filmmaker, Seun Oloketuyi confirmed the
passing away of Aderounmu at the age of 37 after battling an undisclosed ailment on his verified Instagram page.
After the news of her death made the rounds, Akindele, who worked with the late thespian on her TV serial, ‘Jenifa’s Diary,’ took to her social media page to mourn her.
However, a brother of the deceased shared a post on his Instagram account moments later, wondering how a person who ignored his late sister would take to social media to mourn her.
Many netizens, who suspected he was referring to Akindele, thronged to the actress’ page to lambast her.
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Reacting to the backlash in an Instagram live session, the actress turned politician explained that she was not aware that her late colleague was sick.
She also frowned at the death wish on her kids, saying she was depressed and dealing with her own “trying moments too”
Funke Akindele said, “Some people are telling me to keep quiet since I’ve reached out to the deceased’s brother and explained. But I think I deserve… Somebody commented on my page that I may bury my children. I think that is serious. Why? What have I done wrong?
“The late Jumoke Aderounmu, I met her years ago. She was an actress, so I gave her some roles. She featured in Jenifa’s Diary and Industreet. And that was it. She acted her role, got paid and left.
“Recently, my attention was brought to a post by Jumoke’s brother. He was so upset that nobody checked on Jumoke. I said I know he is grieving. I know it’s not easy to lose someone. I’ve lost my mum. Nobody knows what I went through. I was depressed after losing my mum.
“So, I reached out to Jumoke’s brother. I said, ‘I’m so sorry. I feel your pain. Nobody told me that your sister was sick. I don’t turn deaf ears to people that are in need that are next to me. They wrote that I don’t help, I do help but I don’t make noise about helping. I believe giving should be done privately.’
“I don’t beef any filmmaker, I do my things, I face where I’m going. The records I’ve been able to break are by the grace of God. Do not forget I’ve got my trying moments too.
“My mum passed away during COVID-19, I was backlashed politically, and I lost my marriage. Somebody is now saying that I will lose my children. I think that is too much.”