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Funmi Martins: Ilesa-born actress who abandoned secretarial studies for film-making

by Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo
December 19, 2023
in Entertainment
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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21 years have passed since Funmi Oguntomi, better known as Funmi Martins, passed away. The dust of eternity enveloped her as she was plunged into the unknowable ground. She grappled with the Grim Reaper and was severely injured.

The well-known Nollywood actress bid adieu to all she held dear, even her two-month-old son. Funmi Martins and my late mother, who died in 2000, would not have traveled to the hereafter if tears had the power to awaken the dead.

In his book “The Last Vampire,” American writer Christopher Pike, who is well-known for his supernatural horror fiction, asserted that “death never comes at the right time, despite what mortals believe.” Death strikes like a thief every time. Pike was accurate. The grim reaper broke into her home, stealing her from her child and her adoring audience of unmatched performing prowess. At a time when she had so much to offer as a public person and mother, the well-known actress went from this life. 

Many Nigerians, particularly those in the film business, were in grief following the death of Funmi Martins. Funmi, who began her professional acting career in the early 1990s, began to work in Yoruba and English films. She was universally admired and adored. Funmi was one of the very few actresses who could perform with such professionalism and perfection in both Yoruba and English films. She was regarded by her coworkers as a kind, generous, cheerful, and compassionate woman who always gave filmmaking her all.

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The height of Funmi Martins’s career was her death. Her acting career lasted only ten years. ten years of strain, work, problems, and suffering. The mother of three performed her best in the profession, just like others, but she did not share in the benefits of her hard work like some did. She left this world at a time when she was already well-known and expected to be monetizing her notoriety.

Her eldest child, Mide Funmi-Martins Abiodun

Not only was Funmi Martins killed by the grim reaper, but her many admirers were also denied the opportunity to witness their idol in action when she visited Hades in August. Funmi Martins transcended mere existence. Although she didn’t survive long enough to grace our television, she had a charming personality that everyone could like.

EARLY LIFE

In September 1963, Funmi Oguntomi, better known as “Funmi Martins,” was born. She was born in Osun State’s historic town of Ilesa. Her early years were spent in Ibadan and Lagos, respectively.

EDUCATION

Funmi Oguntomi went to the Oke-Ona Primary School in Ogun State’s capital, Abeokuta. She also went to Abeokuta’s Oke-Ona Grammar School. She graduated from the Beepo Secretarial Institute with a diploma in secretarial studies.

CAREER

Funmi Oguntomi, better known as Funmi Martins, worked as a secretary and model before breaking into the film business, according to research by WITHIN NIGERIA. The late Funmi was a passionate actor and filmmaker who was willing to go above and beyond to fulfill her life’s ambition of making great films. 

The late Funmi starred in her first film, Nemesis, in 1993 as she worked toward her life’s goal. Fidelis Duker directed the motion picture. She had appeared in several films and outperformed expectations in less than ten years. Among Funmi’s many well-known pieces are Eto Mi, Pelumi, Ija Omode, and Eru Eleru. This writer discovered that veteran actor Adebayo Salami, better known as Oga Bello, provided mentoring for the first Yoruba film credited to Funmi Martins.

MARITAL LIFE

The results revealed very little about her married life. Regarding her first marriage, in particular the father of her first two children, nothing was known. But according to some, the late Funmi Martins was actually lover of Sir Shina Peters, a well-known Afro-Juju singer. Akanbi Ayomipo Peters was the last child she had, born just two months before she passed away.

Sir Shina Peters, Funmi Martins, Akanbi Ayomipo Peters

There are unsubstantiated rumors that Sir Shina Peters attended the naming ceremony and provided entertainment for the attendees with his band. Additionally, it was reported that Funmi, along with her three children, changed her name to Funmi Peters at the event. 

According to some reports, the late Funmi allegedly moved from her previous home at 308 Agege Motor Road, Challenge Bus-Stop in Mushin to Iju-Ishaga, which is where her lover Shina Peters resides. 

Late Funmi Martins is the mother of popular actress, Mide Funmi-Martins Abiodun.

DEATH

The actress set out on her voyage to the unknown on May 5, 2002. According to reports, she began experiencing dizziness prior to being transported to Osuntuyi Medical Hospital in Iju. At one point, her condition stabilized and she reportedly got better. 

Sadly, she gave up the ghost. Funmi Martins was pronounced deceased on May 6, 2002. Medical reports state that her rheumatic heart disease caused cardiac arrest, which resulted in her unexpected death.

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