President Bola Tinubu has mourned veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing his death as a great loss to the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and Nigeria’s creative community.
Tinubu, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condoled with the actor’s family, friends and colleagues.
The President described Ogogo as a distinguished artiste whose decades-long career contributed significantly to the development of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.
He said the late actor’s distinctive acting style, powerful screen presence and commitment to his craft enabled him to entertain generations of Nigerians while promoting Yoruba culture and the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
“Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artiste 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,” Tinubu said.
The President extended his condolences to Ogogo’s loved ones, colleagues, friends and admirers, praying that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Tinubu noted that Ogogo’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history, while his mentorship and influence on younger artistes had further cemented his legacy in the creative industry.
He urged members of the creative community and Nigerians to honour the late actor by preserving and building on the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he dedicated his life.
Ogogo, who died on Sunday at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer, was buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday according to Islamic rites.
Before becoming a household name in Nollywood, Ogogo worked as a mechanic with the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years.
He began acting in 1981 while combining the profession with his mechanic job, before resigning in 1994 to pursue acting full-time.