Former Ondo State Information Commissioner, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, has criticized Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele for publicly snubbing colleague Toyin Abraham at a recent film premiere. The incident occurred at the premiere of Iyabo Ojo’s The Return of Arinzo, where footage showed Abraham approaching Akindele and almost kneeling in greeting, only for Akindele to appear to ignore her.
The video, which quickly went viral on social media, sparked widespread debate about professional etiquette and celebrity behavior in Nollywood. Ademola-Olateju argued that Akindele’s actions violated Yoruba cultural norms, specifically the concept of Ọmọlúwàbí, which emphasizes respect, acknowledgment, and proper conduct in public interactions.
In a Facebook post, Ademola-Olateju highlighted that even in situations of private conflict, the Yoruba tradition expects public recognition of greetings as an act of respect and character. He described Abraham’s repeated attempts to greet Akindele as a demonstration of humility and the cultural principle of Ìtìjú (modesty) and Ọ̀wọ̀ (respect).
Ademola-Olateju warned that ignoring a public gesture of goodwill, especially by a senior or influential figure in the industry, undermines communal decorum and leadership values. He cited traditional Yoruba proverbs to illustrate that leaders are expected to model proper behavior, regardless of personal grievances.
He concluded by emphasizing that while Nollywood rivalries are longstanding, success should not come at the expense of character and cultural values. He urged both actresses to uphold respect and professionalism, noting that how celebrities treat each other in public sets an example for the next generation.
