Popular Nollywood actress, Juliana Olayode, has issued a public apology to her senior colleague and movie producer, Funke Akindele.
Keep in mind that Juliana Olayode, who burst into the limelight with her role as Toyosi on Funke Akindele’s sitcom, Jenifa’s Diary, had a fallout with Funke in 2017 over an undisclosed topic.
Years later, Juliana expressed her deep regret in a lengthy Instagram post on Saturday night, apologizing to Funke and admitting that she had hurt her deeply. She also addressed the issues that led to her exit from the series.
“As a teenager, my career in the mainstream entertainment industry started in a place that many people who have put in years of hard work could only dream of. How could a neophyte start from the mainstream if not for a miracle?
In my case, the mercy of God and unmerited favor was evident. I broke into the industry by playing a friend and co-lead with a screen goddess who had put in decades of hard work and unprecedented creativity, even at that time.
God used Aunty Funke Akindele @funkejenifaakindele to put me into the limelight. It was a shocker for me, especially at that tender age when I had barely left secondary school. The kind of fame I earned from playing Toyosi in Jenifa’s Diary was too enormous for my understanding.
However, the lack of industry know-how started manifesting in me, coupled with the fact that I had a guardian (manager) who didn’t understand how the entertainment industry works, and I believed anything he felt and said.
My guardian sent an email to Scene One TV, the producers of the sitcom, the entire content of which I wasn’t aware of until recently.
The story of my goofs at the start of my career cannot be exhausted in a million words. I want to use this opportunity to apologize to Aunty Funke Akindele. Ọmọdé ò lè mọ ẹ̀kọ́ jẹ, kó má ra lọ́wọ́. I am incredibly sorry for how I hurt you and how the email that was sent hurt you.
Please forgive me for my childish mistakes of the past. I am deeply sorry for everything.
I love you eternally, Aunty Funke.
NB: I just feel the burden to make this official. It’s not an attempt for people to help me beg her. I have met Aunty Funke; she has forgiven me. She hugged me, prayed for me, cooked for me like she used to in those good old days. Jollof rice elemi meji, fried rice, and sweet chicken. (lol)
I am her baby forever. She is such a sweet soul. The good days are back, and you should probably anticipate.I love you all. Thank you.
”, she wrote.
In response, Funke Akindele expressed her love for her in the comments section of Juliana’s post and noted that she misses her.
“My Juliana. 
I miss you. I will bite you. 
Omo mi. I love you. See you soon.” Funke wrote.
