Nigeria’s huge film industry, Nollywood, is in mourning after the death at 66 of veteran actor and star of Yoruba-language cinema Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo. His daughter, Kira Hassan, confirmed the news during an emotional Instagram live broadcast on Sunday, where she struggled to come to terms with her father’s death.
Ogogo, who had been suffering from cancer, is due to be buried on Monday in his hometown in Ogun state, south-west Nigeria, in line with Muslim tradition, according to fellow actor Prince Jide Kosoko.
Colleagues and fans have been paying tribute to a man who became one of Yoruba cinema’s most recognisable faces.
Before finding fame on screen, Ogogo worked as a mechanic for about 13 years at the Ogun State Water Corporation.
He combined that career with acting in 1981, when he started appearing in films. He eventually switched to performing full time in 1994 focusing on the profession he loved.
Over the course of his career, Ogogo won numerous awards and earned critical acclaim for his role in the movie Anikulapo, where he played the Alaafin of Oyo – the most revered king in Yorubaland.
Refelcting on his death, popular actor Saidi Balogun shared an emotional tribute describing Ogogo as a brother: “You can rest now… This is truly painful.”
Femi Adebayo praised Ogogo as a “true pillar of Yoruba cinema” whose impact would live on for generations. He wrote: “Thank you for the years, the stories, the lessons and the moments that made us fall in love with the craft.”
Muyiwa Ademola described his death as “the end of an era,” calling Ogogo “one of the biggest the Nigerian film industry ever produced” .
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, mourned Ogogo, stating: “Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was more than a gifted actor. Through a remarkable career, he brought laughter into countless homes, told stories that reflected our society, and used his talent not only to entertain but also to educate and inspire social rebirth.”
Contrary to popular belief the actor did not acquire the name “Ogogo” from a part he played in a film. It was in fact a family praise name which he adopted as his professional identity.
He once explained that he took up “Ogogo” long before he became well known.
By BBC News
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