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Tears and grief enveloped Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as the remains of veteran Yoruba actor, filmmaker and traditional chant performer, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, were laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
The 66-year-old actor was buried at about 10:50 a.m., shortly after funeral prayers attended by members of his family, friends, colleagues, traditional chiefs and scores of mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to one of Ilaro’s most celebrated sons.
Ogogo’s remains arrived in his hometown in the early hours of Monday, setting the stage for an emotional farewell to a man whose name became synonymous with Yoruba-language cinema and traditional entertainment.
As early as 9 a.m., family members, close friends and well-wishers had begun gathering for the funeral rites. The solemn occasion also attracted prominent personalities from the Yoruba movie industry, including veteran actors Yinka Quadri, Abbey Lanre, Femi Adebayo and Jide Kosoko, who joined others in mourning their colleague and friend.
Actress Ireti Osayemi Bakare was also among the Nollywood personalities who attended the funeral prayers at the Ilaro Central Mosque.
The atmosphere became deeply emotional as mourners struggled to contain their grief while bidding farewell to the veteran actor. Many stood quietly as prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, while family members and close associates were visibly devastated by the loss.
Following the funeral prayers, Ogogo’s remains were conveyed to the burial ground, with family members, friends, colleagues and traditional chiefs accompanying him on his final journey.
The burial came barely a day after news of his death emerged, sending shock waves across the Yoruba entertainment industry and beyond.
Ogogo reportedly died after a prolonged battle with stage-four cancer, bringing to an end a remarkable career that spanned several decades.
In the weeks preceding his death, his family and management had appealed publicly for urgent medical intervention, seeking assistance from medical professionals and individuals with access to credible and appropriate cancer treatment.
The family had stressed that its primary need was medical assistance rather than financial donations, as efforts intensified to find effective treatment for the ailing actor.
The appeal reportedly generated more than 500 offers of assistance from concerned individuals and organisations. However, Ogogo’s management said the major challenge was determining how and where the actor could be safely moved while receiving the specialist treatment he required.
Despite the desperate efforts to save his life, the veteran actor eventually succumbed to the illness, leaving behind a grieving family, colleagues and millions of admirers.
Ogogo’s death marks the passing of one of the distinctive voices and faces of Yoruba cinema. Over the years, he earned recognition not only for his acting prowess but also for his work as a filmmaker and traditional chant performer, helping to preserve elements of Yoruba culture through entertainment.
His unique style, commanding screen presence and ability to interpret traditional characters made him a familiar and respected figure among generations of Yoruba film lovers.
For many of his colleagues, Ogogo was more than an actor. He was a veteran, mentor and custodian of a cultural tradition that connected Yoruba storytelling with modern cinema.
