Backlash Over Unsettling Birthday Flyer for Funke Akindele

On August 25, 2026, a birthday tribute for Funke Akindele, shared by the Nigerian movie review page CinemaPointer, faced significant backlash due to its unsettling design. The flyer, captioned "HBD FA 🎂," was meant to celebrate Akindele's birthday on August 24 but instead drew criticism for its layout and tone.

It featured the heading "In Loving Celebration of Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele" and described her as "a true Nollywood icon whose light continues to shine brighter with every year." Notable figures in the entertainment industry, including Nkechi Blessing, Anita Joseph, Adeniyi Johnson, and Biodun Stephen, expressed their discontent with the post. Despite the widespread criticism, CinemaPointer had not removed the post at the time of reporting.

The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding public tributes and the expectations of celebratory content in social media contexts.