Criticism Surrounds Omoni Oboli’s Film Release After Alex Ekubo’s Burial
Osai Ovie, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor of Delta State, has publicly criticized Nollywood actress and director Omoni Oboli for releasing her film shortly after the burial of late actor Alex Ekubo. Ovie characterized the decision as an attempt to exploit the actor’s death for financial gain.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Ovie expressed his disappointment over the film “The First Lady,” which Oboli premiered on her YouTube channel. He considered the timing of the release to be highly inappropriate, even though Oboli promised to donate the proceeds to Ekubo’s family.
Concerns Over Timing and Intentions
Ovie’s remarks included strong disapproval of Oboli’s actions, stating, “I am disappointed in Omoni Oboli, who used Alex Ekubo’s burial to promote and cash in on her movie.” He argued that her assertion that the movie represented the beginning of their friendship did not justify the decision to announce its release so soon after the funeral.
Accusations of Using Grief for Promotion
He referenced a video in which Oboli shared that the film was inspired by their friendship, which began over a decade ago. However, he expressed outrage, saying, “It’s disturbing to use someone’s death as PR to gain subscribers.” Ovie further emphasized that cashing in on the hype surrounding Ekubo’s memory was disheartening and inappropriate.
Doubts About the Claim to Donate Proceeds
The governor’s aide pointed out that while Oboli’s promise to donate the film’s proceeds could distract from the underlying concerns, it seemed clear that the release was primarily a promotional strategy for her YouTube channel. He stressed, “Grief is not content. A funeral is not a launch event.” Ovie insisted that Ekubo deserved a tribute that honored his life, work, and contributions, rather than one that resembled a marketing campaign.
Calls for Greater Respect for the Deceased
Ovie remarked that the announcement of the film could have been postponed if the intention was genuinely to commemorate Ekubo. “If we really wanted to honor him, we could have waited to announce it,” he stated. He called for a shift in how society engages with such tragedies, asserting that “tragedy should not be content” and urging others to respect the dignity of the deceased without exploiting their pain for financial gain.
Oboli’s Response to Criticism
In her announcement of “The First Lady,” Oboli explained that the film was a testament to her friendship with Ekubo, indicating it was a project he had poured his heart into. She emphasized that all proceeds would benefit Ekubo’s family, highlighting her commitment to honoring his legacy. In a video shared on her social media, she remarked, “In his memory, we are releasing The First Lady, the movie where this friendship began.”
Funeral and Final Farewell
Alex Ekubo was laid to rest in his hometown of Ujari, Abia State, amidst an outpouring of grief from family, friends, and colleagues. The actor’s family had previously disclosed that he had passed away at the age of 40 after battling complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
