Nollywood: Tinubu Mourns Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan

Kehinde Adeleye

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

Tinubu expressed his condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and numerous admirers of the veteran actor following his death.

In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Ogogo as a talented actor whose career spanned several decades and contributed to the development of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.

According to Tinubu, Ogogo used his talent, distinctive acting style and strong screen presence to entertain generations of Nigerians while promoting Yoruba culture and the country’s rich cultural heritage.

The President also highlighted the late actor’s influence on younger artistes, saying his mentorship and contributions to the creative industry would remain part of his lasting legacy.

“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,” Tinubu said.

The President described Ogogo’s death as a major loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and Nigeria’s wider creative community.

He extended the condolences of the Federal Government to the actor’s family, friends and colleagues and prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the deceased eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to cope with the loss.

Tinubu also urged Nigerians and members of the creative industry to keep Ogogo’s memory alive by preserving the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he dedicated his life.

Before becoming a popular actor, Ogogo worked as a mechanic with the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years.

He began acting in 1981 while still working as a mechanic and eventually left the job in 1994 to pursue acting as a full-time career.