Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was laid to rest in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday after a prolonged battle with stage-four cancer. The veteran Yoruba actor passed away on Sunday at the age of 66.
Emotional Tributes Pour in for Taiwo Hassan
The outpouring of grief was visible even before the burial. At the premiere of King Kosoko: The Battle for Lagos, actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo broke down in tears as he paid tribute to the fallen veteran. His emotion caught attendees off guard at what was meant to be a celebratory event.
Fuji music legend Kwam 1 also struggled to hold himself together as news of Ogogo's death spread. His tribute joined a wave of public mourning from across the entertainment community. Other celebrities, including Kunle Afod, Afeez Owo, Bose Alao, Nkechi Blessing, and Woli Arole, added their voices to a growing chorus of condolences.
A Career Spanning Over Four Decades
Born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Taiwo Hassan began his acting career in 1981 while working as an automobile mechanic. He left his civil service job in 1994 to focus entirely on acting, going on to appear in films including Owo Blow, Agbelebu, Aníkúlápó, and Bank Alert. His appearance in Kunle Afolayan's Aníkúlápó on Netflix in 2022 introduced him to a new generation of viewers, cementing his status as one of the defining faces of Yoruba cinema.
His family, including daughters Kira and Haleemah, announced his passing during an emotional Instagram Live session on Sunday. Despite receiving hundreds of offers of medical, spiritual, and other forms of support from Nigerians and fellow industry figures, including a public appeal by Femi Adebayo, the veteran actor did not recover.
A Legacy in Yoruba Cinema
Ogogo's death came days after his daughters made an emotional public appeal for medical assistance, revealing that doctors had told the family they could no longer administer chemotherapy due to his deteriorating condition. The veteran actor's legacy in Yoruba cinema is undeniable, with a career spanning over four decades. His contributions to the industry will be remembered for years to come.
The burial prayers were held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground in Ilaro at 10 a.m., conducted by the Chief Imam of Ilaro and attended by family, colleagues, and fans who had followed his career. The Yoruba entertainment industry said its final goodbye to veteran actor Taiwo Hassan as he was laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.
Source: Pulse.ng
