Oyindamola Ogundamola
For those who knew Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, beyond the character he portrayed on screen, his burial in Ilaro, Ogun State, has become a deeply emotional moment for the Yoruba film community.
The grief is particularly evident among his friends, protégés and longtime colleagues, many of whom have gathered not simply as celebrities but as people saying goodbye to a man who played a significant role in their lives and careers.
The atmosphere remains sombre as mourners continue to pay their final respects, with tears, silence and reflection taking centre stage during the burial rites.
Among those reflecting on Ogogo’s impact is actress Toyosi Adesanya, one of his protégés, who described the late actor as a mentor who played a significant role in shaping her career.
Adesanya recalled that she began training under Ogogo in 1994 after joining the Odunfa Caucus. She said she spent about 10 years learning from him and other senior practitioners, describing the experience as an important part of her journey in acting.
She also remembered Ogogo as a man of integrity and simplicity, while crediting him with nurturing talents and helping to pave the way for several actors in the Nigerian film industry.
The gathering also carries a traditional touch, with the royal staff of a traditional ruler present to represent the monarch and honour the late actor.
Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Mr Latin, Ireti Osayemi, Toyosi Adesanya, Dele Odule, Olaiya Igwe, Fathia Balogun and Kolawole Ajeyemi are among the familiar faces from the Yoruba film industry present at the ceremony.
For many of those gathered in Ilaro, Ogogo’s final rites are more than a farewell to a screen veteran.
They are an opportunity to remember a mentor, colleague and friend whose influence extended beyond his performances on screen.
As the burial rites continue, the subdued mood surrounding his final journey reflects the depth of the loss being felt by those who knew him and the wider Yoruba film community.
