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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Alaafin of Oyo mourns Nollywood actor Ogogo

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, mourned the passing of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo.
  • The monarch described Hassan as a "fallen great tree" whose legacy will endure.
  • Hassan, 66, died after a battle with stage-four cancer.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo. In a message conveyed through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the monarch described Hassan as a "fallen great tree whose roots and fruits would nourish generations to come."

"Though the drumbeat of late Hassan’s life has hushed, the rhythm of his wisdom and art will echo through time forever," the Alaafin stated. He lamented the loss of a "true custodian of our heritage," adding that "the light of a single, brilliant flame has faded out, yet its glow remains in our collective history."

Though the drumbeat of late Hassan’s life has hushed, the rhythm of his wisdom and art will echo through time forever.

— Alaafin of OyoDescribing the lasting impact of the late actor Taiwo Hassan's work.

Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, passed away at the age of 66 on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following a battle with stage-four cancer. His death was confirmed by his family on Saturday.

The world lost a giant, whose spirit lives on in every life he inspired. An irreplaceable voice has gone quiet, but the echo of his art would ring through generations.

— Alaafin of OyoMourning the passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan.

The Alaafin further reflected on Hassan's impact, saying, "The world lost a giant, whose spirit lives on in every life he inspired. An irreplaceable voice has gone quiet, but the echo of his art would ring through generations. You carried our history and our pride with grace. A single light has gone out, yet its brilliance will continue to guide us."

Oba Owoade highlighted Hassan's remarkable career, noting how he entertained generations while showcasing and preserving the rich cultural values of the Yoruba people on stage and screen. The monarch offered words of solace to the bereaved families, stating, "We mourn the loss of a rare cultural pillar, yet we celebrate an immortal legacy that will forever shape our identity."

We mourn the loss of a rare cultural pillar, yet we celebrate an immortal legacy that will forever shape our identity.

— Alaafin of OyoReflecting on the cultural significance of Taiwo Hassan's contributions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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