LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun and his family have paid a heartfelt tribute to his late daughter, Zeenat Balogun, on her posthumous birthday, using the occasion to honour her legacy and raise awareness about sickle cell anaemia.
The emotional tribute was shared in a video posted on Instagram by Saidi’s son, Khalid Balogun, who reflected on Zeenat’s life, strength, and lasting impact on those who knew her.
In the post, Khalid explained that the family chose not only to celebrate Zeenat’s life but also to use the moment to mark World Sickle Cell Day and draw attention to the challenges faced by people living with the condition.
According to him, Zeenat battled Sickle Cell Anaemia throughout her life but remained courageous, resilient, and inspiring despite the difficulties she faced.
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“We only die when we are forgotten. Today, the Balogun family remembers and celebrates the life of our beloved firstborn, Zeenat Balogun, on her posthumous birthday. Though the challenges of Sickle Cell Anaemia marked her journey, she faced every battle with remarkable strength, courage, and grace, leaving behind memories that continue to inspire us every day,” Khalid wrote.
He added that the tribute also serves as a message of hope and awareness for individuals currently battling the condition.
“As we honour her birthday, we also commemorate World Sickle Cell Day through this tribute video—raising awareness, celebrating resilience, and remembering the countless warriors fighting this condition. Zeenat may no longer be with us physically, but her love, light, and legacy remain forever alive in our hearts,” he added.
The tribute video also featured other members of the Balogun family reflecting on Zeenat’s life, the cherished memories they shared with her, and her courageous battle with sickle cell anaemia.
The remembrance comes months after the actor announced the painful loss of his first daughter in October 2024.
At the time, Saidi shared a candlelight image surrounded by flowers on social media, accompanied by emotional emojis that reflected his grief.
In a statement released following her passing, the veteran actor described Zeenat as a fighter who embraced life with determination.
He portrayed her as a symbol of joy, resilience, and acceptance, noting that she strongly believed in the principle of never giving up.
Furthermore, Saidi has continued to keep her memory alive through public tributes.
During the first anniversary of her passing last year, he shared a touching video of his daughter and reminded followers that she would never be forgotten.
The actor also opened up about his pain while promoting Zeenat’s final movie project, admitting that sharing the teaser was emotionally difficult.
Despite the grief, he stated that her talent and light deserved to be seen and celebrated.
The latest tribute has drawn support from fans and colleagues, many of whom praised the family for transforming their loss into a message of awareness, resilience, and hope for those living with sickle cell anaemia.
