Nollywood was treated to a truly heartwarming moment on Tuesday during the yearly Odunlade Adekola Film Production (OAFP) awards 2025, when the host, filmmaker Odunlade Adekola, paid a special tribute to his senior colleague, veteran actress Peju Ogunmola.
The clear highlight of the evening was when Adekola invited Ogunmola onto the stage and personally requested that all guests rise to give her a massive standing ovation. The hall immediately complied, resulting in a powerful display of respect and affection for the beloved actress.
The moving gesture comes just months after the actress suffered a profound personal tragedy. In September, Peju Ogunmola lost her only child, Ayomikun. A statement released shortly after the loss, via the family’s spokesperson, Yemi Amodu, clarified that contrary to any circulating rumors, Ayomikun died after a brief illness in Ibadan and has since been buried.
During that difficult period, the overwhelming solidarity from the industry was visible. Actors stormed the Ibadan residence of Ogunmola and her husband, Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as Papi Luwe, to console the grieving couple. Notable figures who visited included Dele Odule, Ronke Odusanya, Fausat Balogun, Bimbo Oshin, Ebun Oloyede, Olaiya Igwe, and Fali Werepe, among many others.
After months of mourning, the actress made her emotional return to social media in November. In a deeply personal video, she described the preceding months as “heavy,” but credited the enormous outpouring of love, prayers, and condolences from the public with having carried her through the storm. She announced her return to the screen, stating that she was rising stronger, grateful, and ready to embrace her passion again.
Following her return, Ogunmola shared new photos of herself, proclaiming that she was finally “out of the house.” She revealed she was starting the new month on the move and ready to work.
The video of Odunlade Adekola’s tribute quickly circulated online and sparked an outpouring of support from fans on social media, many of whom recognized her recent resilience.
Comments celebrating her strength flooded the platform:
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“She’s so strong,” wrote one user, Debbie Cooks Cuisine.
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Another, qudirow, added, “She’s a strong woman. May Almighty continue to strengthen her.”
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“Mama Peju nah forever GOAT,” declared iamprincedemmy.
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“One thing I like about this Yoruba Nollywood, they respect one another a lot,” noted o.layorh, summing up the feeling of camaraderie displayed at the event.
