The Ogun Government and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Sarafa Isola have expressed sadness over the death of veteran actor and filmmaker, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as ‘Ogogo’.
Hassan died on Sunday at the age of 66 following a prolonged battle with cancer, leaving behind a career spanning more than four decades in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Mr. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Ogun Governor on Information and Strategy, expressed the government’s condolences in a statement issued on Monday in Abeokuta.
Akinmade described Hassan’s death as a monumental loss to Ogun State, Nigeria’s creative industry and the country at large.
He said the late actor was not only an accomplished artiste but also a shining light whose talent and dedication helped promote Nigerian culture and Yoruba heritage.
“Throughout his illustrious career, Taiwo Hassan distinguished himself through exceptional artistry, humility, candour, dignity and respect for others,” he said.
According to Akinmade, Hassan’s professionalism and distinctive performances earned him the admiration of colleagues, fans and generations of Nigerians.
Akinmade noted that Hassan, an indigene of Ilaro in Ogun, remained a proud ambassador of his roots throughout his career.
He said the actor contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage through theatre, film and television.
According to him, Hassan used his works to promote the Yoruba language, traditions and values while projecting the richness of the culture to audiences in Nigeria and across the world.
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He said the actor’s death had created a painful void that would be deeply felt by his family, the people of Ilaro and Ogun State, as well as the wider creative industry.
The Ogun Government extended its condolences to Hassan’s family, friends, colleagues, the people of Ilaro and his numerous fans in Nigeria and beyond.
Akinmade said the state would remember the actor for the remarkable life he lived and the lasting contributions he made to the cultural heritage of the country.
He described Ogogo as a shining light whose works, values and contributions would continue to speak to future generations.
In a separate condolence message, Amb. Sarafa Isola, immediate-past Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK, described Hassan as a custodian of Yoruba culture and a gifted entertainer.
Isola described the actor’s death as “a colossal and irreplaceable loss” to Nollywood, Yoruba culture and the Nigerian creative community. He said he received the news with profound sadness, describing Hassan as much more than an actor.
According to Isola, Ogogo was a remarkable storyteller whose talent, distinctive presence and memorable performances touched several generations.
“Through his decades-long career, he contributed immensely to the growth and visibility of Yoruba cinema and Nigerian entertainment,” he said.
Isola extended his condolences to the late actor’s family, children and loved ones, colleagues in Nollywood, the Yoruba creative community, the people of Ilaro and his admirers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Quoting the Qur’an, Isola prayed that Almighty Allah would forgive Hassan’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds, illuminate his grave and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus. He also prayed for strength and comfort for the actor’s family and other mourners.
Hassan’s death has continued to generate widespread tributes from colleagues, public figures and fans across the entertainment industry.
His passing marks the loss of one of the notable veterans of Yoruba-language cinema, with his performances and contributions leaving a lasting mark on Nigerian film and cultural expression. The late actor is expected to be buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State.
NAN
