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The burial of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, was marked by emotional scenes on Monday as family members, friends, colleagues and Ilaro people gathered in Ilaro, Ogun State, to pay their final respects to the late actor.

Ogogo’s wife was seen in tears during the burial ceremony, with family friends and other mourners consoling her as she struggled to contain her emotions.

His longtime friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, was also visibly emotional as he mourned the death of the actor and fellow veteran.

The remains of the 66-year-old actor were taken to the burial ground in accordance with Islamic rites after a lying-in-state ceremony held earlier in Ilaro, his hometown.

The burial attracted several prominent personalities from the Yoruba movie industry, including veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Madam Saje, Mr Latin, Toyosi Adesanya, Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba.

Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi also paid tribute to Ogogo ahead of the burial, praying that the deceased would attain Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Ogogo died at about 3pm on Sunday at the age of 66, according to an announcement by fellow actor Jide Kosoko.

His death came days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for financial and medical assistance for their father, who had been battling stage-four cancer.

Kaira had earlier revealed that doctors had ruled out further chemotherapy because of his condition, prompting the family to explore alternative treatment options.

Ogogo was one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades.

He featured in hundreds of films and played a significant role in the development and promotion of Yoruba Nollywood, earning widespread recognition for his distinctive acting style and contributions to the industry.

His death has continued to generate tributes from colleagues, fans and other stakeholders in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

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The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula and the Natural Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has paid tribute to veteran Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following his death at the age of 66.

In a condolence message on Monday by the Senior Media Officer, Ooni’s Palace, Sodiq Lawal, on behalf of the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni who is also the Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) commiserated with the family of the deceased, the entire Nollywood industry, Yoruba actors and actresses, friends, associates and the millions of fans of the late thespian over the painful loss.

The Ooni described Ogogo as a legend of Yoruba cinema and an advocate of Yoruba culture, noting that his contributions went beyond entertainment to the preservation, promotion and projection of Yoruba language, traditions and values.

According to the Ooni, Ogogo belonged to a generation of artistes who used their talents to tell authentic Yoruba stories and bring the richness of the culture to audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

He said the late actor’s decades-long career and distinctive performances had earned him a lasting place in the history of Yoruba film and Nigerian entertainment.

“Ogogo was not merely an actor; he was an advocate of our culture. Through his craft, he promoted our language, traditions, values and identity. His contribution to Yoruba cinema will remain indelible,” the Ooni said.

The Ooni further noted that the passing of the veteran actor had created a significant vacuum in the creative industry, particularly within the Yoruba-language film sector, where Ogogo remained an influential figure for generations.

The Ooni urged members of the entertainment community and admirers of the late actor to take solace in the legacy he left behind and the impact of his works on Yoruba culture and Nigerian cinema.

He also commiserated with Ogogo’s wives, children and extended family, praying that Almighty Olodumare grant the deceased eternal rest and give the bereaved family, colleagues, friends and fans the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Funke Akindele, a screen icon is being heavily slammeded by neizens in the country for posting a birthday message on social media while stakeholders in the entertainment industry and Yoruba movie fans are mourning Alhaji Taiwo Hassan’s passing.

Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, a veteran actor, who is popularly called Ogogo, died on Sunday at the age of 66 and he was laid to rest today in Ilaro, Ogun State.

The popular actress, who was born on August 24, 1977, turns 49 today, August 24, 2026.

She posted a birthday message thanking God for His mercies and blessings. Funke also made her pictures available and gave needed information about the roles played by some individuals in making her look stunning.

‘Today is my birthday.

🎉
My heart is full of gratitude to God for all He has done, all He is doing, and all that is still to come.

Through every season, every lesson, every win, every mistake and every challenge, God has remained my strength and my shield. Even in moments when I have fallen short, He has given me the grace to rise, learn, keep going and become better.

Today, my prayer is simple. That God blesses me with good health, long life, peace and the grace to keep walking in purpose.

I pray that my life continues to mean something beyond me. That I can touch more lives, open more doors, nurture more talents, raise more stars and give others the opportunity to become everything God has called them to be.

May I never stop giving back. May I never stop growing. May my life remain a testimony, and may the way I live inspire others to believe, to dream and to keep going.

Thank You, Lord.

Happy birthday to me.

STYLED BY ZACKSTYLING LUXURY

MAKE UP by Blessing Omagbemi

PHOTOGRAPHED By Aham Ibeleme’ the popular actress submitted in a Facebook post.

[email protected] learned that as at Monday afternoon, the Facebook post had earned over 10,000 likes while 428 people had forwarded it.

‘Happy birthday to you ma. Continued doing what you know best. My love to you’ Okwuchi Ananaba Nwachukwu wrote.

‘Happy birthday super women, may God bless your new age’ Oladunni Yunus also submitted.

Some social media users however criticized her for posting birthday message while Ogogo’s funeral was being held in Ilaro.

They accused her of being insensitive.

‘Funke Akindele!!! Today of all days! Are you aware that Taiwo Hassan, your senior colleague in the film industry, is dead and will be buried today? Don’t you read the room? Everyone will die o. It is Ogogo today, no one knows who is next tomorrow. What you guys in the Nollywood are doing is not humane. You show no sense of humanity. Well, Ogogo did not die a sudden death even though how it happened is sad. He would have been 67 years old in October. Everyone will reap all they sow’ a social media user, Adewale (@SoEdunOkanESita), submitted on X.com

Another X.com user, Olayinka Mujeeb Adeniyi (@ola_kish) also faulted the timing of the birthday message.

‘Aunty Funke.. shame on you! We are mourning the death of Ogogo…. And you Dey post about birthday. Omooo this is not fair oo’ he wrote.

‘Mrs Funke Akindele, I understand that life goes on and everyone has the right to celebrate their birthday, but posting a birthday celebration so soon after the passing of Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo) feels insensitive. Sometimes, it’s not about whether you’re right or wrong to celebrate. It’s about knowing when to tone things down out of respect for someone who has just passed away’ omoiyanofi (@papiexploring) submitted.

In Islam, the general period of mourning for family and relatives is three days while there is no universally mandated number of days for mourning in Christianity.

However, special prayers and memorial services are heavily emphasized on the 3rd, 9th, and 40th days, with the 40th day traditionally believed to be when the soul undergoes its final transitionTeam