Nigerian took to social media to criticises Nollywood sweetheart, Funke Akindele and her husband JJC Skillz for organising and celebrating a Birthday party. Despite strict orders issued by the government who demanded everyone stay in their home and practise social distance due to the pandemic.
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In the now-deleted video on Instagram, Funke Akindele’s husband, JJC was spotted dancing and having a good time in a house party with Naira Marley, actress Enionla Badmus and many more. Funke Akindele’s husband, JJC Skillz 43rd Birhday, took place on April 4. The couple decided to have a small party at their home in Amen Estate, Lagos with singer Naira Marley, comedian Akpororo, and actress Eniona Badmus in attendance. In a video shared by JJC Skillz on Instagram, he can be seen with his wife dancing and having fun with their guests in a crowded house party.
Minutes later, the couple began to trend on Twitter for failing to observe social distancing which was put in place to contain and halt the spread of the pandemic. The couple who are supposed to lead by example was immediately criticised by fans and other Nigerians on Twitter for disregarding various directives and medical advisory for members of the public to maintain social distancing to avoid spreading of the virus. Other called for brands to boycott the couple for breaking the rules.
Now, this hit the actress hard, and she had to respond to the backlash. Funke Akindele in February 2020 became the first Nollywood actress to hit 10M followers on Instagram, and this goes to show how much she is well-loved and how much of an influence she is both to the youths and Nigerians. She is also Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) ambassador and recently did jingles on the virus awareness. The new mother who welcomed her first children, a set of twin boys, after trending on twitter for 24 hours, made a video to explain what happened, and also to apologised to her massive fans and Nigerians. According to her video explanation, most people who turned up for the birthday party Were already staying in the estate weeks, before the president ordered the lockdown on March 29. She explained that everyone at the party was family and close friends only, the party was a surprise and was not a planned event. JJC Skillz has also spoken out and backed his wife, on why they held a “crowded” house party.
In a video, he shared, JJC who described the house party as a “surprise turn-up”, said everyone who attended the party is safe and sound of any illness. He also claimed that most people who attended the birthday were from the same estate with them. He showed off Naira Marley’s house and disclosed that the singer and comedian Akpororo who were present at the birthday party, live in the same estate with them.
He also said actress Eniola Badmus self-isolated in an apartment in the said estate after she returns from the UK weeks ago. Funke Akindele, in her video, gave more details and went on to apologise to Nigerians, explaining that they were not snubbing the rules, and take the situation seriously. Finalising her explanation, she apologised again and said that they are all safe and happy. Majority of Nigerians accepted the actresses apology on social media, with some pointing out that they’re more worried about their children who can contract the illness.
