Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has called for greater empathy, understanding and support for individuals living with lupus following an emotional meeting with members of the lupus community in Abeokuta.
Akindele made the remarks during her recent visit to the city for the Behind the Scenes movie meet-and-greet, where she had the opportunity to interact with people living with the medical condition. Sharing her experience, the filmmaker said the encounter deeply touched her heart and reinforced the importance of telling stories rooted in empathy and self-love.
According to Akindele, meeting individuals who felt seen and represented through Behind the Scenes reminded her of the power of storytelling in raising awareness and combating stigma. She emphasised that lupus is not contagious and should never be a reason for discrimination or shame.
“Lupus is not contagious. It is a medical condition, not a label and never a reason to hide,” she stated, urging the public to show compassion and understanding towards those affected.
The award-winning actress also reaffirmed her commitment to using her platform to highlight meaningful causes and amplify the voices of people whose stories deserve to be heard. She assured those living with lupus that they are not alone and encouraged continued conversations around self-care and self-love.
The event was organised in collaboration with Lureg Support, a lupus advocacy group, and Akindele expressed her gratitude for the recognition and opportunity to shine a spotlight on the lupus community.
Her advocacy has since been widely praised, with many commending her for leveraging her influence to promote awareness and challenge misconceptions surrounding lupus.
