Tears, grief and heartfelt tributes enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as family members, colleagues, friends, fans and residents gathered to bid a final farewell to veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and Yoruba cinema icon, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
Ogogo, who died on Sunday, August 23, at the age of 66 after a battle with stage-four cancer, was laid to rest in his hometown, Ilaro, in accordance with Islamic rites.
His remains arrived in Ilaro ahead of the funeral, drawing mourners to the prayer ground and Pavilion to pay their final respects to a man widely regarded as one of the enduring faces of Yoruba-language cinema.
The atmosphere was deeply emotional as colleagues from the Nigerian film industry, family members and admirers gathered to honour the late actor. Several actors could not hold back their tears as they came face-to-face with the remains of their respected colleague.
Yinka Quadri, Dele Odule, Fausat Balogun, Femi Adebayo and Toyosi Adesanya, among others, were visibly emotional, while veteran actors including Jide Kosoko, Mr Latin, Olaiya Igwe, Kola Balogun, Yetunde, Saheed Balogun, Fathia Balogun, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Muyideen Oladapo (Lala), Ireti Osayemi and several others were also present.
The family’s grief was even more evident during the burial, as one of Ogogo’s wives and the children of the late actor were seen crying uncontrollably while sympathisers and family friends gathered around her to offer comfort.
In another deeply touching moment, Ogogo’s daughter, Kira, shared a private conversation she had with her father weeks before his demise on Monday. The conversation, dated July 26, showed the late actor reassuring his daughter despite his deteriorating health.
Ogogo reportedly told Kira that seeing her and her sisters happy gave him strength and urged her not to cry over his condition.
The exchange has since become one of the most poignant reminders of the bond between the late actor and his children, a father comforting his daughter even while battling a life-threatening illness on sick bed.
The funeral prayer was conducted according to Islamic rite, at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, Ilaro, following an announcement by the Ilaro Muslim Community and the Chief Imam of Ilaro.
The religious leaders prayed for Allah’s forgiveness, mercy and eternal rest for the deceased, asking that he be admitted into Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The Chief Imam’s prayers underscored the solemnity of the occasion as mourners reflected on the life and legacy of Ogogo, who was not only a celebrated entertainer but also a prominent son of Ilaro and an important figure in the preservation and promotion of Yoruba culture through theatre and film.
His death, many noted, marked the end of an era in the Yoruba film industry.
The President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin, described Ogogo as an actor whose life and career touched countless people.
“Ogogo lived a remarkable life, touched countless hearts and left an indelible mark on our industry and culture,” Mr Latin said, praying that his legacy would continue to live on.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko, was among the colleagues who arrived in Ilaro to accompany the family during the final rites, describing his death as a painful loss and prayed for strength for the family, friends and colleagues left behind.
Another veteran actor, and a longtime colleague of Ogogo, Yinka Quadri, could not control his emotions as he wept profusely at the burial and also paid his final respect to his friend.
Among the mourners who paid their last respect were the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; actors and actresses led by the President of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Bolaji Amusan, the deceased friends, Dele Odule, Yinka Quadri, at a solemn burial rites, held at Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Ilaro
The Wakeel Muslim for SouthWest, Edo and Delta States, Sheik Iskeel Lawal, in his sermon at the prayers, insisted that death remains inevitable end of all mortals, urging people to live rightly.
Lawal praised the deceased contributions to the creative industry while urging theater practitioners to learn to speak out in time when facing any challenges and should always remain united in all their endeavors noting that the storm of life could arise at any time.
Governor Abiodun represented by Commissioner for Sports, Wasiu Isiaka, described the deceased as an exceptional theater practitioner and icon whose demise was quite painful to all
“We are here this morning to join the family, friends, and indeed the whole Nigeria to mourn the demise of Mr Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo—a true icon, a proud Yoruba man, somebody that you are always proud to associate with and say this indeed is my brother.
“Today, we are mourning him, and I believe that we are all learning from him. Because the last time I saw Mr. Ogogo was when he came to my office to come and see his daughter, this mean that Ogogo, apart from being an icon in town, is also a father to his children.
“So today, I want to implore everybody, especially the children, to believe in God, that nothing can happen without the knowledge of Allah. It has happened, though sadly and with full of sorrow, but what else can we do? We cannot query God. Because of that, take solace in the fact that he lived a very good life”.
The governor expressed his appreciation for the people, especially the members of the entertainment industry for standing by the family of the deceased in such a trying time urging everyone to take solace in the fact that the late actor lived an impactful life and contributed meaningfully to national development
Amusan described Ogogo as a complete gentleman of reputable character whose passage has brought lots of sorrow to the entertainment industry.
He called on the family to keep the legacy of the late thespians alive.
“Ogogo was a complete gentleman, a man of reputable character. He’s a man of the people, this was evident when he was sick, people unknown to were all eager to help but he is gone now.
“My charge is that the family should keep his legacy going. Ogogo is dead, but his legacy should be kept alive,” he added.
The grief has also spread across generations of Nollywood practitioners, with actors including Muyiwa Ademola, Adebayo Salami, Kunle Afod, Iyabo Ojo, Funke Akindele, Nkechi Blessing, Damilola Bankole and others expressing sorrow over the actor’s passing.
Veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, also mourned the loss, describing Ogogo’s death as deeply painful.
Muyiwa Ademola, in his tribute, described Ogogo as one of the biggest talents the Nigerian film industry had produced, saying his death represented “the end of an era.”
Gospel musician Tope Alabi joined the stream of tributes, expressing how deeply the actor’s death had affected her.
In an emotional tribute, she wrote: “Booda, It has been heavy on my heart to post this since I heard of your demise. You lived a good life and you were a good example to the coming generation. May your soul rest in perfect peace Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo).”
Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, also paid tribute to Ogogo during a performance on Sunday after receiving news of the actor’s death.
Overcome with emotion, K1 broke down in tears on stage as members of his band gathered around him to offer comfort before he eventually regained his composure.
For residents of Ilaro, however, the burial was more than the final ceremony for a celebrated actor. It was the homecoming of one of their own.
Ogogo was deeply associated with Yoruba culture and storytelling, with a career spanning more than four decades. He became known for his commanding screen presence and memorable portrayals of traditional rulers, chiefs, fathers, warriors and other culturally rooted characters.
Beyond Nollywood, tributes also poured in from political leaders and the Ogun State Government, which described his death as a major loss to the state’s cultural and creative community.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, expressed sadness over Ogogo’s death, recalling the actor’s commitment to his people and promising continued support for his immediate family.
For the countless fans who grew up watching his films, Ogogo’s greatest legacy remains the unforgettable characters he brought to life and the Yoruba cultural identity he helped project through Nigerian cinema.
SOURCE; NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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