Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has been laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.
The 66-year-old actor was buried on Monday, August 24, following Islamic funeral rites.
Family members, friends, colleagues, traditional chiefs and other sympathisers gathered in Ilaro to bid farewell to the respected Yoruba-language actor.
Ogogo’s remains arrived in the town early Monday morning, with preparations for the funeral already underway by 9am.
Several prominent figures from the Yoruba film industry attended the burial, including veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko.
Nollywood actress Ireti Osayemi Bakare was also among the entertainers who gathered at the Ilaro Central Mosque for the funeral prayers.
The atmosphere was sombre as mourners struggled to come to terms with the death of the actor, who spent decades contributing to the growth of Yoruba cinema.
After the funeral prayers, Ogogo’s remains were taken to the burial ground, accompanied by members of his family, friends, colleagues and traditional chiefs from the community.
He was subsequently committed to the earth in accordance with Islamic rites.
Ogogo’s burial came a day after news of his death emerged following reports that he had been battling stage four cancer.
His death followed a deterioration in his health in recent weeks, prompting his family and management to seek urgent medical assistance.
Before his death, one of his daughters had appealed for help in finding suitable medical care, explaining that the family only recently became aware of the seriousness of his condition.
The appeal attracted significant attention, with his management later revealing that more than 500 people had offered assistance towards his treatment.
However, Kosoko, who spoke on behalf of the management team, said the large number of offers presented logistical challenges, particularly because Ogogo was already receiving treatment and could not easily be moved to another facility.
Ogogo’s death has left colleagues, fans and admirers mourning the loss of one of the enduring figures in Nigeria’s Yoruba film industry.
