By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Tinubu has mourned veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, describing his death as a great loss to the Nigerian creative industry and the nation’s cultural heritage.
In a condolence message issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed sympathy to Hassan’s family, friends, colleagues and millions of his admirers.
Tinubu described the late actor as a distinguished artiste whose career spanned several decades and whose contributions helped shape Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema.
According to the President, Ogogo entertained generations of Nigerians through his distinctive acting style and powerful screen presence while also promoting the richness of Yoruba culture and the country’s diverse cultural heritage.
He said Hassan’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history, noting that his mentorship and influence on younger artistes further strengthened his legacy in the creative industry.
“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.
“His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and the entire Nigerian creative community,” Tinubu said.
The President extended the Federal Government’s condolences to the deceased actor’s family, colleagues and friends, and prayed that Almighty Allah would grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Tinubu also urged members of the creative industry and Nigerians to honour Ogogo’s memory by preserving and building on the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he devoted his life.
Before rising to prominence in the entertainment industry, Hassan reportedly worked as a mechanic at the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years.
He began his acting career in 1981 while combining the profession with his mechanic job. He eventually left the job in 1994 to pursue acting full-time.
Through a career spanning decades, Ogogo became one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language entertainment, earning recognition for his contributions to Nigerian theatre and film.
The President prayed for the peaceful repose of the late actor’s soul.