The sudden passing of talented actress and producer Allwell Ademola on Saturday, December 27, has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian movie industry, but it has also sparked a heated conversation about the nature of celebrity friendships. Actor Alesh Sanni has openly criticized his colleagues, calling out what he perceives as hypocrisy in the way they rushed to share news of her death on social media.
In a deeply emotional video shared on his Instagram page, Alesh revealed the personal pain behind his frustration. He shared that he and Allwell had actually planned to attend a dinner together that very day, only for her to pass away just hours before they were meant to meet. The suddenness of the loss made the subsequent social media frenzy even harder for him to stomach.
Alesh didn’t hold back as he questioned why bad news seems to travel faster than support within the industry. He pointed out that while many were quick to flood their timelines with tributes, those same individuals rarely showed up to support Allwell’s work or celebrate her milestones while she was still here. He noted that as a producer, she had projects that deserved promotion, yet many of those now mourning her never bothered to repost her movie trailers or celebrate her birthdays with such intensity.
The actor described the situation as both disturbing and disheartening, expressing confusion over how news of her passing appeared on almost every colleague’s page within thirty minutes of the event. He challenged his peers to reflect on their actions, asking why the industry seems more interested in trending over a tragedy than in helping a living colleague succeed.
This outburst has triggered a wider debate among fans and industry insiders about “eye-service” in Nollywood. While the industry continues to mourn the loss of a veteran, Alesh Sanni’s comments serve as a blunt reminder to value and support people while they are still alive to appreciate it.
