Tears flowed in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as the remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, were laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
Hassan’s remains were buried at about 10:50am after funeral prayers attended by family members, friends, colleagues, traditional chiefs and other mourners who gathered to pay their final respects to the celebrated actor.
SaharaReporters learnt that the actor’s remains arrived in his hometown, Ilaro, early Monday morning ahead of the burial.
The development drew several prominent figures from the Yoruba movie industry to the town, with veteran actors Yinka Quadri and Jide Kosoko among those who arrived to mourn their colleague.
By about 9am, members of Ogogo’s family and close friends had already assembled in preparation for the funeral rites.
At about 10am, Nollywood actress Ireti Osayemi Bakare was also among the actors and actresses who gathered at the Ilaro Central Mosque for the funeral prayers.
The atmosphere was emotional as mourners struggled to come to terms with the death of the veteran actor, who remained one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema for several decades.
Following the prayers, Ogogo’s remains were taken to the burial ground, where notable chiefs from his hometown followed the body to the grave alongside family members, friends and colleagues.
He was subsequently buried according to Islamic rites.
The burial came a day after reports emerged that the 66-year-old actor had died following a battle with stage four cancer.
SaharaReporters had reported on Sunday that the veteran actor died after his health reportedly deteriorated in recent weeks.
A video seen by SaharaReporters following the reports showed one of Ogogo’s daughters crying profusely as she struggled to come to terms with her father’s death.
“I need to call my sisters. I need to call my family,” she was heard saying while crying.
The death came days after Ogogo’s family and management revealed that he was battling stage four cancer and appealed for urgent medical intervention.
His family had said they were seeking access to appropriate medical care rather than financial donations.
Ogogo’s daughter had earlier made an emotional appeal in a video circulating online, saying the family only became aware of the severity of his condition about three weeks earlier.
She said the family was searching for a hospital or medical professional capable of treating her father, alleging that they had encountered difficulties securing appropriate treatment.
The appeal generated an overwhelming response, with the actor’s management team later disclosing that more than 500 people had offered to assist with his treatment.
Jide Kosoko, who spoke on behalf of the team, said the large number of offers had created logistical difficulties because Ogogo was already receiving treatment in a hospital.
He explained that the challenge was determining where the actor could be taken and how he could safely be moved while undergoing treatment.
(SaharaReporters)