President Tinubu mourns veteran actor Taiwo ‘Ogogo’ Hassan

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter Taiwo Hassan, widely known as Ogogo. Hassan died on Sunday at the age of 66 following a battle with stage-four cancer. His death occurred just days after his daughters publicly shared the severity of his illness and sought assistance for his treatment.

Hassan was laid to rest in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, adhering to Islamic rites. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended his sympathies to Ogogo's family, friends, and fellow artists. The president lauded the veteran actor as a distinguished performer whose extensive career significantly advanced Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.

Tinubu highlighted Ogogo's unique acting style, commanding screen presence, and dedication, noting that his performances entertained Nigerians for generations while promoting Yoruba culture and Nigeria's broader heritage. "Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artist who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage and entertain audiences at home and abroad," Tinubu stated. "His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood, and the entire Nigerian creative community."

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Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artist who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage and entertain audiences at home and abroad. His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood, and the entire Nigerian creative community.

The president also recognized Ogogo's impact beyond his acting, acknowledging his mentorship of younger artists as a crucial contribution to the industry. Tinubu asserted that the actor's body of work secured him a permanent place in Nigeria's cultural history. He encouraged the creative community and all Nigerians to honor Ogogo by upholding the cultural values and artistic traditions he championed throughout his life. "On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends, and millions of admirers," Tinubu concluded. "I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss."

Born in Ilaro, Ogun State, on October 31, 1959, Ogogo's journey into entertainment was unconventional. Prior to acting, he trained as an automobile mechanic and worked for a water corporation for approximately 13 years. He began acting in 1981 while still working as a mechanic, balancing both careers for years before dedicating himself fully to acting in 1994. His career, spanning over four decades, established him as a recognizable figure in Yoruba-language cinema, notably appearing in Tade Ogidan's acclaimed 1990s film trilogy, "Owo Blow." He remained active in various eras of Nigerian cinema, including roles in "Omo Ghetto" and Kunle Afolayan's "Anik."

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On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends, and millions of admirers. I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss.