Though they were not known to be close friends while Moji Olaiya was alive, they must have had encounters while on locations or during certain social functions.
For one who was very active in the Yoruba Nollywood industry, the least Funke Akindele could have done even if she could not make the two-day funeral rites of Moji Olaiya was to have put up a post on social media on why she could not attend.
At least Bimbo Akintola did so.
Though not a fact, observers have said Funke Akindele had decided parting ways with the Yoruba genre of Nollywood and pitched her tent with the English-speaking arm of the industry.
Nothing wrong.
She hardly showed up at any social activities of the Yoruba artistes despite the way they always show support for her works on social media.
Not that she doesn’t have friends who are Yoruba actresses—she is on a cordial relationship with the ilk of Iyabo Ojo, Dayo Amusa, Faithia Balogun and Bimbo Thomas. Maybe her good friend in Nollywood Yoruba is Esther Kalejaiye, who is married to Afeez Eniola.
Esther was present at the burial which took place at the Ebony Vault in Ikoyi Cemetery.
When contacted by PUNCH correspondent on phone on why she didn’t attend Moji Olaiya’s burial, Funke was said to have hung up on him and didn’t pick subsequent calls put through to her.
However, maybe to show support, Funke, on the day Moji’s remains were interred wrote on Instagram:
“Rest In Peace Moji. May the Lord be with your Children and give us the grace and willingness to support them in our own little way. AMEN.” (sic)
Moji Olaiya, who was one of the children of highlife music icon, Victor Olaiya, died on May 18 while abroad, two months after the birth of her baby. She had her second daughter in March and reports have it that she must have suffered complications as a result of childbirth. Her baby was born premature.
The deceased is survived by her two parents, her two daughters— one aged 18 and the other only three months old who she had gone to be delivered of in Canada.