Veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has reportedly died after battling stage four cancer.
Eweso News gathered that the veteran Yoruba actor died on Sunday after his health deteriorated in recent weeks.
In a video seen by Eweso News, one of Ogogo’s daughters, Kira Taiwo, was seen crying profusely as she struggled to come to terms with the development.
“I need to call my sisters. I need to call my family,” the daughter was heard saying while crying on Instagram Live.
The reported death was also announced by Sebilu Nnajat TV, a platform owned by Islamic cleric Sheikh Al-Fulanny, who is known to have close ties with Muslim celebrities in the South-West.
The platform shared an emotional message announcing the actor’s death, writing, “Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. At last, Ogogo is gone. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
The development comes days after Ogogo’s family and management disclosed that the actor was battling stage four cancer and urgently needed medical intervention.
His family had appealed for assistance, saying they were seeking access to appropriate medical care rather than financial donations.
The actor’s daughter had previously made an emotional appeal in a video circulating online, saying the family only became aware of the severity of his condition about three weeks earlier.
She said the family was looking for a hospital or medical professional willing and able to treat her father, alleging that they had encountered difficulties securing appropriate treatment.
The appeal triggered an overwhelming response, with Ogogo’s management team later revealing that more than 500 people had offered to assist with his treatment.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko, who spoke on behalf of the team, said the number of offers had created logistical difficulties because Ogogo was already receiving treatment in a hospital.
“We have received offers from more than 300, and even over 500 people, each sincerely believing that they have something that could help him,” Kosoko said.
He explained that the major challenge was determining where the actor could be taken and how he could safely be moved from the hospital while undergoing treatment.
“It is extremely difficult to move him from the hospital to different locations at this stage of his treatment, especially considering the large number of people who have offered to help,” he said.
Kosoko also appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for the actor, expressing hope that he would recover.
“Please, continue to pray with us. We believe strongly that, with your prayers, our prayers, and the mercy of Almighty God, Taye will come out of this situation successfully. There is nothing impossible before Almighty God,” he said.
The veteran actor’s team had expressed gratitude to fans, colleagues and well-wishers in Nigeria and abroad for their support.
The latest reports of his death have since triggered an outpouring of grief among fans and colleagues on social media.
Taiwo Hassan, 66, was one of the prominent figures in the Yoruba-language film industry, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director.
He began his acting career in the 1980s and gained widespread recognition for his roles in Yoruba-language productions, including the popular film Owo Blow.
Hassan remained a major figure in the Nigerian movie industry and was widely recognised for his distinctive performances in Yoruba films and television productions.
