Nollywood actress, Toyosi Adesanya, has described her late mentor and veteran actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, as an epitome of simplicity and integrity who trained several actors and paved the way for many practitioners in the Nigerian film industry.
Adesanya, who arrived in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday for Ogogo’s burial, said she began her training under the actor in 1994 through the Yinka Quadri-led Odunfa Caucus.
Speaking with journalists in Ogogo’s hometown, Adesanya said she spent 10 years training under the tutelage of the late actor and other senior practitioners.
“My name is Toyosi Adesanya. I’m one of the protege of Alhaji Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. I joined them in the year 1994 under the auspices of Alhaji Yinka Quadri, Alhaji Abbey Lanre, Alhaji Araosan.
“I trained for 10 years at Odunfa Caucus. My late boss was a man of integrity. He’s an epitome of simplicity. He trained me out of chance ,” she said.
Adesanya recalled the rigorous training sessions at the Odunfa Caucus, saying she and other trainees spent years learning under Ogogo.
“During my years of training at Odumfa Caucus, I underwent a lot of training under the tutelage of Ogogo himself.
“Because it was then our rehearsal was Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7 to 9 at Odunfa Caucus, number 40, Odunfa Street, Ebute-meta. We really enjoyed our stays with my boss,” she said.
The actress said she was devastated after learning about Ogogo’s health condition and subsequent death, adding that she had spoken with his daughters during the period.
“I have been devastated since last week when I was talking to his daughter, Shakirat popularly known as Kira and Lolade Rashidat. I was not myself when I received the news of his cancer, his health problem. All I can say is that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest,” she said.
Adesanya described Ogogo as a mentor who treated his trainees and colleagues like his own children.
“Ogogo is one in a million. We fondly call him Sir T, Omo Kulodo…And I will never forget all his efforts.
“Whenever we had rehearsals, he treated everybody like his own children,” she said.
She also recalled Ogogo’s support when she produced her first film in 2002, saying he stood by her alongside actor Yinka Quadri.
“When I was producing my first movie in 2002, he stood by me alongside Alhaji Yinka Quadri,” she said.
Adesanya further described Ogogo as a major influence in the careers of many actors.
“Ogogo was the one who paved the way for so many actors. Ogogo is loved. Everybody loves him,” she said.
She recalled an incident during a trip to the burial of veteran filmmaker Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly known as Adelove, in January 1997, when women recognised Ogogo and celebrated his presence.
“I remember the day when we were going for Adelove’s burial in January 1997.
“We had a stopover at Lalupon. We saw some set of women coming around, Ogogo, sing Ogogo for me. Everybody should know Ogogo, Ogogo, the fantastic actor, handsome man.”
Concluding her tribute, Adesanya said she would continue to remember the actor for his contributions to her career and the industry.
“I don’t want to dwell too much. My late boss, rest in the bosom of Allah. We love you,” she said.
Eweso Online had reported that Nollywood actors, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko and Adesanya, arrived in Ilaro on Monday for Ogogo’s burial.
Also present in the town were Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, alongside other colleagues, family members and well-wishers.
Ogogo died at 3pm on Sunday at the age of 66, according to a burial announcement by veteran actor, Jide Kosoko.
Kosoko announced that the actor’s remains would be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, where a lying-in-state ceremony would be held on Monday.
The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced that the burial prayer for the actor would be held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground.
Ogogo’s death came days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance for their father, who had been battling stage-four cancer.
Kaira had disclosed that doctors informed the family that they could no longer administer chemotherapy because of his condition, prompting the family to seek other treatment options.
Ogogo was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly known for his contributions to Yoruba-language films.
His career spanned more than four decades, during which he featured in hundreds of films and became one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema.
