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Veteran Yoruba actor and filmmaker, Alhaji Taiwo Babatunde Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, will be buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, on today.

The Ilaro Muslim Community announced that the funeral prayer for the 66-year-old actor will be held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, Ilaro, at 10 a.m.

Ogogo, an Ilaro-born actor, filmmaker and traditional chant performer, reportedly died after battling stage-four cancer.

His daughter, Kira Hassan, confirmed his death in an emotional Instagram Live session on Sunday.

“My daddy is dead. I can’t believe it,” she said while struggling to come to terms with the loss.

The actor’s death has sparked widespread mourning across Ogun State, particularly in Ilaro, as colleagues, fans and well-wishers pay tribute to one of the prominent figures in Yoruba entertainment.

Ogun Government Mourns

The Ogun State Government expressed grief over Ogogo’s death, describing it as a monumental loss to the state, Nigeria’s creative industry and the country.

In a condolence message signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the government described Ogogo as “a shining light” whose talent, discipline and commitment helped promote Nigerian culture and showcase Yoruba heritage to audiences at home and abroad.

Akinmade said Ogogo distinguished himself throughout his career through exceptional artistry, humility, candour, dignity and respect for others.

He described the late actor as a proud ambassador of Ilaro and Ogun State, noting that his contributions to theatre, film and television helped preserve and promote the Yoruba language, traditions and values.

“Taiwo Hassan, Ogogo, was a shining light. His voice may have fallen silent, but his works, values and contributions to our cultural heritage will continue to speak for generations,” Akinmade said.

The government extended its condolences to Ogogo’s family, friends, colleagues in the creative industry, the people of Ilaro and his numerous admirers across Nigeria and beyond.

Adeola Mourns

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Solomon Adeola, also mourned the veteran actor.

Adeola described Ogogo’s death as a major loss to the entertainment industry, Ogun State and Nigeria.

In a condolence message to the family, the senator said Ogogo was a brother who believed in and worked diligently for his political cause and the advancement of the people.

“I am greatly saddened by the death of a brother who believed in and worked assiduously for my cause and the cause of our people,” Adeola said.

He sympathised with Ogogo’s immediate family over their efforts and struggles to keep him alive during his illness.

“I sympathise with his immediate family for their efforts and struggles to keep the dearly departed alive following his illness. God knows best in all circumstances,” he added.

Adeola said Ogogo’s contributions to the pursuit of a better society through filmmaking and positive advocacy would remain memorable.

He also pledged continued support for the deceased’s immediate family during the mourning period and prayed for the peaceful repose of Ogogo’s soul.

Daughter Reveals Family’s Struggles

Before his death, Ogogo’s family had raised concerns over the financial and emotional burden of securing medical treatment for the actor.

During a TikTok Live session on Saturday, Kira alleged that some individuals were attempting to exploit the family’s difficult circumstances by claiming to offer financial assistance for her father’s treatment.

She alleged that some people approached the family for money, with demands ranging from N800,000 to millions of naira and thousands of dollars.

“My father is a good father. Some people are even trying to make money with us in this whole situation. Fear God,” she said.

Kira also spoke about the emotional toll of her father’s prolonged illness on the family, saying the situation had become increasingly difficult to cope with.

She disclosed that Ogogo’s illness had deeply affected his brother, whom she affectionately referred to as her “big daddy”, while members of the family regularly communicated through a group chat for updates on his condition.

Kira further said she had withdrawn from social media because photographs and videos of her father battling cancer had become emotionally overwhelming.

She described Ogogo as a loving father who always wanted the best for those around him.

Ogogo’s Battle With Illness

Ogogo had experienced serious health challenges in recent years. In 2025, he publicly disclosed that he had been battling chronic ulcer for several years.

More recently, members of his family revealed that he was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for urgent medical assistance.

His deteriorating condition prompted colleagues, fans and well-wishers to organise prayers and seek specialist medical care for him.

Ogogo was widely respected for his distinctive performances in Yoruba-language films and his efforts to promote and preserve Yoruba culture.

His death has triggered an outpouring of grief among colleagues, fans and residents of Ilaro, who are mourning the loss of one of the community’s prominent sons and a respected figure in Nigeria’s Yoruba entertainment industry.

The funeral prayer is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, Ilaro, Ogun State.

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Prophet Itunu, the lover of late Nigerian actress, Temitope Osoba, better known as Tope Osoba, has been arrested.

Police reportedly arrested Itunu on Tuesday August 18, 2026 following the public outcry over the circumstances surrounding Tope’s death.

Tope Osoba died on August 4, 2026, two years after surviving breast cancer.

Many Nigerians took to social media to demand the arrest of her lover after the actress’ close associates and best friends accused him and his siblings of having a hand in her death.

Shortly after the news of her death, Tope Osoba’s friends and associates started calling out Prophet Itunu for allegedly manipulating the actress to move in with him without knowing her family or marrying her legally.

Itunu was also accused of bullying her, collecting one of her money and one of her cars, and stopping her from acting or speaking with colleagues and friends.

Following the chat and voice notes evidence shared by the deceased’s friends to backup the allegations, the family postponed her burial to allow the police to conduct proper investigation into her death.

Reacting to the development in an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, a Media Investigative Unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, Itunu denied the allegations and claimed that it was the actress that approached him for marriage after she visited his church for prayers.

While accusing her of being a drug addict, the prophet said, “Tope was a drug addict and I didn’t know about it on time. And I don’t have money to take her to rehab after I noticed.”

However, updating the public about the case in an Instagram video on Sunday, the actress’ close friend and online personality, Akeem, announced that Itunu has been arrested alongside one unidentified hairdresser.

Akeem who is better known as ‘Oko Awon Single Mother’, said in a now trending video, “Good morning everybody, good Nigerians. So to those asking me for an update about Tope Osoba’s case, I have good news for you.

“Itunu was arrested on Tuesday. The hairdresser was also arrested. They are now in detention. The order guy that was accused of raping her is on the run. The guy’s name is Pelumi.

“So hopefully, justice will be served for her. Thank you Nigerians, thanks to the police for not ignoring our cry for justice. A big thank you to the family and a big thank you to myself. Autopsy will be carried out by the police.”

Prophet Itunu is the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral, Bogije, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

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Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as “Ogogo,” died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.

His daughter, Kira Taiwo, announced his death in a social media broadcast, days after she and her sister revealed that their father was battling Stage 4 cancer.

On August 18, the sisters appealed to medical specialists and advanced cancer treatment facilities to help with their father’s treatment. They said they were not asking for money but needed connections to specialists who could take over his care.

As tributes continue to pour in, here are 10 things to know about Taiwo Hassan “Ogogo”.

1. He was born in Ilaro

Taiwo Hassan was born on October 31, 1959, in Ilaro, Ogun State.

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He came from a family with a history of twins. His father and grandfather were twins, and he was also born a twin.

2. Education

Ogogo had his primary education at Christ
Church School in Ilaro before attending Gazikia College in Lagos.

However, he could not complete his secondary education because of financial difficulties.

3. He trained as an auto mechanic

After leaving school, Ogogo went to a technical college to learn automobile mechanics.

He later got a job with the Lagos State Water Corporation, where he worked as an auto mechanic for about 13 years.

4. He started acting in 1981

Ogogo began his acting career in 1981 while still working at the Lagos State Water Corporation.

For more than a decade, he combined his job with theatre performances. In 1994, he left the Water Corporation to focus fully on acting.

5. He became a major name in Yoruba cinema

Over the years, Ogogo became one of the best-known actors in Yoruba-language films.

His stage name, “Ogogo,” became closely associated with his work in the Nigerian film industry.

6. His role in Owo Blow brought him wider recognition

Ogogo featured in several Nollywood films, but his role as Wole Owolabi in the 1996 film Owo Blow helped increase his popularity.

He also appeared in films such as Agbelebu, Danfo Driver and Ekun-Ayo.

7. He remained active in modern Nollywood

Ogogo continued to work with younger actors and feature in films watched by a new generation.

Some of his later works include Omo Ghetto (2010), Tenant of the House (2019), Aníkúlápó (2022) and the 2024 series Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre.

8. He received an AMVCA nomination

Ogogo was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

The nomination was for his role as Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s Aníkúlápó.

9. His family announced his Stage 4 cancer battle

On August 18, 2026, Kira and Lima announced that their father was battling Stage 4 cancer.

The sisters appealed for help from medical experts and cancer treatment facilities that could handle his condition.

They also clarified that they were not seeking financial donations but wanted access to specialists who could help with his treatment.

10. He died on August 23, 2026

Taiwo Hassan died on August 23, 2026, after battling the illness.

His daughter, Kira, confirmed his death, leading to tributes from actors, filmmakers, fans and others across Nigeria and beyond.

Ogogo’s death brings to an end the career of an actor who spent more than four decades in Nigeria’s theatre and film industry.