Tears flowed freely in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as the remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, were laid to rest in his hometown.
The burial attracted family members, friends, colleagues, members of the Ilaro Muslim community and sympathisers, who gathered to pay their last respects to the 66-year-old actor.
The atmosphere was emotional as mourners accompanied the remains of the veteran actor to his final resting place in line with Islamic burial rites.
A video from the funeral procession showed mourners carrying Ogogo’s remains as they moved towards the burial ground. Many of those present were visibly grief-stricken as they struggled to come to terms with the death of one of the most respected figures in Yoruba-language cinema.
One of the most emotional moments came when Ogogo’s close friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, was seen crying uncontrollably.
Quadri, who shared a long professional and personal relationship with the deceased, was consoled by mourners as he struggled to contain his emotions.
His reaction reflected the deep sense of loss among Ogogo’s colleagues and friends, many of whom had worked with him for several decades.
Several prominent Nollywood actors also travelled to Ilaro to honour their late colleague.
Among those who attended the burial were veteran actors Jide Kosoko, Mr Latin, Faithia Balogun and Toyosi Adesanya.
Others included Ireti Osayemi, Femi Adebayo and Bisi Omo Logbalogba, alongside other actors, family members and well-wishers.
Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi also paid tribute to Ogogo during an interview with journalists ahead of the burial. He prayed for the deceased to attain Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The burial came a day after Ogogo died on Sunday at the age of 66.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had announced his death in a post on his Instagram page, expressing sadness over the passing of the actor and announcing arrangements for his burial.
According to the announcement, Ogogo’s remains were to be taken to Ilaro, his hometown, where a lying-in-state ceremony would be held before the burial.
The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced the burial prayer for the actor, in line with his Islamic faith.
Ogogo’s death came after a period of illness that had kept his family and fans worried.
His daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, had recently appealed to the public for medical assistance for their father, who was battling stage-four cancer.
Kaira had disclosed that the family was facing a difficult situation after doctors told them that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition.
The family subsequently sought alternative treatment options in an effort to prolong the actor’s life.
Despite the health challenges, news of his death came as a major shock to the Nigerian film industry, particularly the Yoruba section of Nollywood, where Ogogo had built a strong reputation over several decades.
Born and raised in Ogun State, Ogogo became one of the most familiar faces in Yoruba-language films.
His career in the Nigerian entertainment industry lasted for more than four decades. During that period, he featured in hundreds of films and worked with several generations of actors, directors and producers.
His performances earned him a large following among lovers of Yoruba movies, while his distinctive acting style made him easily recognisable to audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
Ogogo was known for taking on a wide range of roles in films. Like many veteran Yoruba actors, he was part of the growth of the indigenous film industry from the era of stage performances and early home videos to the modern Nollywood industry.
His career also coincided with the rapid expansion of Yoruba cinema, which has remained an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and entertainment industry.
The Yoruba film industry has produced many actors who have gone on to become household names across the country. Ogogo was among the veterans who helped sustain the industry through years of change in production methods, technology and audience tastes.
For many younger actors, his generation provided a link between the early period of Yoruba travelling theatre and the modern film industry.
His death therefore represents not only the loss of a popular actor but also the passing of one of the experienced hands who contributed to the development of indigenous Nigerian cinema.
The reaction of his colleagues at the burial showed the level of respect he commanded within the industry.
Actors who worked with him described the death as a painful loss, particularly coming after years of professional collaboration and friendship.
The presence of leading Yoruba actors in Ilaro also demonstrated the close bond that exists among members of the industry, especially during moments of grief.
For the family, however, Monday’s burial marked the end of a difficult period that had begun with Ogogo’s illness.
The appeal by his daughters for medical assistance had attracted attention from fans and colleagues, many of whom hoped that the actor would recover from the illness.
His death has now brought that hope to an end, leaving his family, colleagues and admirers to mourn him.
Ogogo’s passing adds to a long list of veteran Nigerian actors who have died in recent years, renewing concerns about the welfare and healthcare needs of ageing entertainers.
Many veteran actors spent decades building the Nigerian film industry but often face health and financial challenges after leaving active work.
Their deaths have repeatedly prompted calls for better welfare structures, health insurance and support systems for ageing practitioners in the creative industry.
For Ogogo’s colleagues, Monday’s burial was an opportunity to celebrate a career that spanned more than 40 years while paying tribute to a man who made a lasting contribution to Yoruba cinema.
As mourners left the burial ground in Ilaro, the grief remained visible among his family members and colleagues.
The tears, especially from close friends such as Yinka Quadri, showed how deeply the actor’s death has affected those who knew him personally and professionally.
Ogogo may have taken his final bow, but his contributions to Yoruba-language cinema and the memories created through his numerous films are expected to remain with his fans and colleagues for years to come.