President Bola Tinubu has mourned veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing his death as a major loss to Nigeria’s creative industry. Tinubu mourns Ogogo as the news of his passing resonates throughout the country.
According to TVC News, Tinubu expressed his condolences in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extending sympathies to Ogogo’s family, friends, colleagues and admirers.
Tinubu praises Ogogo’s contribution to cinema
The President described Ogogo as a distinguished artiste whose decades-long career contributed significantly to the development of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.
Tinubu said the actor’s distinctive style, strong screen presence and dedication to his craft entertained generations of Nigerians while also promoting Yoruba culture and the country’s wider cultural heritage.
“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.
He added that Ogogo’s death represented a significant loss beyond his immediate family.
“His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and the entire Nigerian creative community,” the President said.
Ogogo’s mentorship remembered
Tinubu also highlighted the influence Ogogo had on younger actors, saying his legacy extended beyond the films and productions in which he appeared.
He said the veteran actor’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history.
“His mentorship and influence on younger artistes further underscored his enduring legacy in the creative industry,” Tinubu said.
The President urged members of Nigeria’s creative community to honour Ogogo by preserving and developing the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he dedicated much of his life.
Tinubu sends condolences to family
Tinubu prayed for the late actor and asked God to comfort his relatives and loved ones during their period of mourning.
“On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and millions of admirers,” he said.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
Ogogo leaves decades-long legacy
Before becoming one of the best-known faces in Yoruba cinema, Ogogo worked as a mechanic at the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years.
He began acting in 1981 while still working as a mechanic before leaving the profession in 1994 to concentrate fully on entertainment.
Over the following decades, he established himself as one of the leading figures in Yoruba-language film, earning recognition for his performances and contribution to Nigerian storytelling.
Tinubu’s tribute adds to the outpouring of condolences from government officials, actors, filmmakers and fans following the veteran actor’s death.
