There were emotional scenes in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as family members, friends, colleagues and other sympathisers gathered to bid farewell to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
The 66-year-old actor was laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites following an emotional funeral ceremony in his hometown.
A video from the burial procession showed mourners carrying the late actor’s remains towards his final resting place as grief-stricken family members and colleagues watched on.
One of the most emotional moments came when Ogogo’s close friend and fellow actor, Yinka Quadri, broke down in tears. Quadri was seen crying uncontrollably as mourners and other colleagues tried to console him.
The burial attracted several prominent figures in the Nigerian film industry, including Jide Kosoko, Faithia Balogun, Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin and Toyosi Adesanya.
Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba were also among the actors and sympathisers who travelled to Ilaro for the burial rites.
Actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi paid tribute to the late actor in an interview with journalists before the burial, praying for Ogogo to be granted Al-Jannah Firdaus.
The burial came a day after the actor’s remains were transported to Ilaro following his death on Sunday.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko announced Ogogo’s death on Instagram, stating that he died at about 3 p.m. at the age of 66. Kosoko also disclosed that the late actor’s body would be taken to Ilaro for a lying-in-state ceremony before his burial.
The Ilaro Muslim Community also announced a burial prayer for the veteran actor.
Ogogo’s death came days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, publicly appealed for assistance over their father’s health condition. The actor had reportedly been battling stage-four cancer.
Kaira had revealed that doctors informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition, leading the family to seek alternative treatment options.
Taiwo Hassan was one of the most prominent figures in the Nigerian movie industry and a major force in Yoruba-language cinema. During a career spanning more than four decades, he appeared in hundreds of films and became one of the most recognisable faces in the industry.
His death has continued to trigger an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and other members of the Nigerian entertainment community.
