Veteran Nollywood star Mercy Aigbe took to Instagram to share stunning photos of her daughter, Michelle Gentry, as she turned 24 on July 11. Known affectionately as her “first fruit,” Michelle received heartfelt tributes from her mother and stepfather, Kazim Adeoti, among others.

Mercy wrote:

“Happy 24th birthday to my first fruit, the entire love of my life @michelleio__.”

Kazim joined in, writing in the comments: “Happy birthday, Michelle. God bless and protect you, darling”. Other celebrities such as Aisha Lawal, Efe Irele, and Ekene Umenwa also shared birthday wishes, calling her a “beautiful queen”.

Mercy’s tribute was more than just love—it reflected her journey as a single mother. She once shared how Michelle was “traumatised” as a child after a household accident, and how financial struggles nearly forced her to move Michelle abroad during university. Michelle graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2023, illustrating their shared resilience and determination.