Ogogo’s final journey: Yinka Quadri, Kosoko, colleagues gather in Ilaro for burial
The hometown of late veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has become the centre of mourning as prominent colleagues and members of the Yoruba film industry gathered in Ilaro, Ogun State, for his burial rites.
Among those who arrived in the town on Monday morning were veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko, alongside Toyosi Adesanya, Ireti Osayemi and Bisi Omo Logbalogba.
The actors arrived ahead of the Janazah prayers and other Islamic burial rites for Hassan, who died on Sunday at the age of 66.
The gathering in Ilaro marks the final stage of the actor’s journey following his death at about 3pm on Sunday.
Hassan’s remains were moved to his hometown on Sunday, in line with plans announced by Kosoko shortly after his death.
Kosoko had announced that a lying-in-state ceremony would be held at the Pavillon in Ilaro at 11am on Monday, while the Ilaro Muslim Community announced the burial prayer for 10am at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground.
The Chief Imam of Ilaro is expected to lead the burial prayer.
Ahead of the burial, actor Bola Oyin-Adejobi also paid tribute to Hassan during an interview with journalists, praying that the deceased would be granted eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus.
Hassan’s death came shortly after his family publicly sought medical assistance for him following his battle with stage-four cancer.
His daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, had appealed for support as the actor’s condition deteriorated. Kaira disclosed that doctors had told the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition, prompting them to explore alternative treatment options.
The actor’s death has since triggered an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and admirers across Nigeria, particularly within the Yoruba film industry, where he was regarded as one of its most recognisable figures.
Hassan spent more than four decades in the industry and featured in hundreds of films, establishing himself as a prominent actor in Yoruba-language cinema.
His burial in Ilaro is expected to bring together members of his family, colleagues, friends, community leaders and other mourners to pay their final respects to the veteran actor.
