Speak out on personal struggles, Nollywood actress Daramola urges colleagues
August 12, 2026 8:19 pm
Foluke Daramola
By Faith Alofe
Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola has urged her colleagues in the entertainment industry to speak out more about the personal struggles they face, warning that silence born out of shame or fear of judgement often leaves people to suffer alone.
Daramola made the appeal on Tuesday while speaking at a candlelight night held in honour of late actress, Temitope Osoba, at LTV 8 (Blueroof), Ikeja, Lagos.
The event, tagged “An Evening of Love, Music & Memories,” was organised by friends of the deceased actress to celebrate her life, creativity and contributions to the arts.
Speaking at the event, Daramola said many people within the industry battle personal issues silently, often putting up appearances that mask deeper struggles.
“We don’t speak out, maybe because of shame or body shaming, but I feel we should speak out more. At the end of the day, when we speak out, we can be there for one another, because everyone is going through something different,” she said.
She noted that outward appearances could be deceptive, as people often present a composed front while dealing with difficult circumstances privately.
“Sometimes we wear clothes and put on a front like everything is okay, when it’s not. It’s difficult to open up,” Daramola said.
The actress called on colleagues struggling with personal challenges to confide in others, stressing that doing so could open doors to help, even indirectly.
“For those of us struggling, speak out, that’s how we can help each other. And to whoever you speak to, even if you can’t do anything yourself, please tell one or two people who can,” she said.
Daramola, however, acknowledged that individuals could not be entirely faulted for not showing up for others at all times, given that everyone carries their own burdens.
“We can’t blame anyone for not being there for us, because we all have our own personal issues. That’s the truth,” she added.
The candlelight night comes days after the death of Osoba, which was announced on August 5 by fellow actor, Alesh Sanni, who described her as his “dearest sister” in an emotional tribute shared on Instagram.
Osoba died at the age of 40, about two years after she first opened up publicly about her battle with breast cancer and sought support from fans and colleagues for her treatment. She had returned to the movie industry in August 2025, describing her recovery in an emotional Instagram post as a “life-changing journey” that reshaped her career.
The circumstances surrounding her death have since generated controversy on social media, with her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, alleging that she died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, contrary to widespread speculation that she died from complications related to her cancer battle.
Her family has also pushed back against what it described as false and unverified reports circulating online, urging the public to desist from spreading misinformation that deepens their grief.
Osoba’s burial is scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 13, in Iperu Remo, Ogun State, with a funeral service at Saint James Anglican Church before her interment at Iperu Remo Cemetery.
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