Adekunle Gold reacts to the death of Taiwo Hassan (Ogogo)

The Nigerian entertainment industry is mourning the loss of one of its beloved icons, as veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan—widely known as Ogogo—passed away this past Sunday. Among the wave of tributes flooding social media, Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold took a moment to honor the man who helped shape countless Nigerian childhoods.

The “Sinner” crooner shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Ogogo made our childhood special. Thankful for all the memories, Rest easy, legend.” Adekunle Gold’s tribute came just as he was preparing to announce the live album release for his critically acclaimed Fuji project, but the artist paused his promotional activities to pay respects to the entertainment legend. Hassan, who passed at age 66, had been battling stage-four cancer—a diagnosis that came just weeks before his death, according to family members. His daughter Kira Hassan and fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko confirmed the tragic news.

Reports indicate that the illness had aggressively affected Hassan’s abdomen, causing significant pain and swelling. Medical professionals determined that chemotherapy was no longer viable, and the actor was deemed too ill to travel to India for alternative treatment options. The loss of Ogogo marks the end of an era for Nigerian cinema, as he was a staple of the Yoruba film industry and a face familiar to generations of movie lovers across the nation.

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