Nollywood Veteran Ojopagogo Recounts Heartbreaking Loss of His Wife While on Movie Set
Veteran Nollywood actor Razaq Olayiwola, fondly known as Ojopagogo, has opened up about one of the most devastating moments of his life — the sudden and painful death of his first wife, Funmilayo Olayiwola, while he was away on a movie set.
In a moving recollection, Ojopagogo shared that the tragic event occurred in 2000, during the production of the film Osuwon, directed by Ebun Oloyede (Olaiya Igwe). According to him, there were no signs of illness before he left home for Abeokuta.
“It is not something I like to remember. I lost someone who was like my backbone,” Ojopagogo said in an emotional interview.
💧 A Wife's Last Act of Love
He described Funmilayo’s final night as a profound expression of support and care. Despite the heavy rain, she went out to borrow an umbrella for him so he wouldn’t miss the film shoot — a role she had encouraged him to accept.
“She told me, ‘Olaiya has finally called you for a shoot, you have to go.’ That night, she personally went to borrow an umbrella so I could travel in the rain.”
But while filming had not yet begun, Ojopagogo felt a strange unease, and soon received a call asking a family member to meet him on set — a clear sign that something was wrong. It wasn’t until he returned home that the crushing truth was revealed.
“I saw my father outside the house trying to console me. People were gathered, saying sorry, but I kept insisting, ‘Nothing is wrong with her.’ It wasn’t until I got back to Ibadan that it truly sank in.”
💬 Opinion: A Story of Grief, Devotion, and Life's Fragile Turns
Ojopagogo’s story is more than a personal tragedy — it’s a powerful reflection on the fragility of life and the depth of marital devotion. Funmilayo’s final act — borrowing an umbrella in the rain for her husband — is a poignant metaphor for love: even in the storm, she thought only of his journey.
Too often, we gloss over the personal sacrifices that actors and entertainers face behind the scenes. This story reminds us that grief doesn't wait for the cameras to stop rolling. It strikes without warning, often in the quiet moments between scripts and stage lights.
Ojopagogo's continued reverence for Funmilayo even two decades later shows the permanent imprint of true love, and the kind of pain that never truly fades.
🕊️ May Funmilayo Olayiwola continue to rest in peace, and may her story inspire more appreciation for the quiet, unwavering strength that partners bring — even when no one is watching.
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🗣️ Have you experienced a sudden loss of a loved one while pursuing your career or goals? How did you find peace again? Share your story or send a word of comfort to Ojopagogo below.
