Alaafin mourns Ogogo, describes death as painful loss

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has commiserated with the family of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing his death as a painful loss to the Yoruba cultural community and Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

The monarch described Ogogo’s life as that of a “fallen great tree” whose roots and fruits would continue to nourish generations to come, adding that although the drumbeat of his life had stopped, the rhythm of his wisdom and art would echo through time.

In a condolence message issued through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, Oba Owoade said a true custodian of Yoruba heritage had gone to rest, stressing that while the light of a single brilliant flame had faded, its glow would remain in the collective history of the people.

“The world lost a giant, whose spirit lives on in every life he inspired. An irreplaceable voice has gone quiet, but the echo of his art would ring through generations. You carried our history and our pride with grace,” the Alaafin said.

Oba Owoade said Ogogo’s remarkable career entertained generations while showcasing and preserving the rich cultural values of the Yoruba people on stage and screen. He added that the late actor’s commitment to theatre, Yoruba culture and the wider entertainment industry had left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s creative landscape.

The Alaafin also sympathised with the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, over the death of one of its notable members, describing the actor’s passing as a painful loss to the association, the creative industry and the nation.

While commiserating with the bereaved family, Oba Owoade said Nigerians should mourn the loss of a rare cultural pillar while celebrating an immortal legacy that would continue to shape their identity, adding, “We mourn the loss of a rare cultural pillar, yet we celebrate an immortal legacy that will forever shape our identity.”

Taiwo Hassan died at the age of 66 on Sunday, August 23, 2026, following a battle with stage-four cancer. His death was confirmed by his family, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and cultural figures across the country.