The sleepy town of Ilaro, Ogun State, was enveloped in grief on Monday as the remains of popular Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, were committed to mother earth in accordance with Islamic rites.
His burial drew family members, friends, colleagues, Muslim faithful and residents who gathered to bid farewell to one of the town’s most celebrated sons.
Ogogo died on Sunday at the age of 66 after battling stage four cancer, a development that shattered the entertainment industry and left his family, colleagues and admirers struggling to come to terms with his sudden exit.
From the moment he breathed his last, details of his condition and eventual death filtered onto social media platforms through his daughter, Kira, who went live on Instagram to share the painful development with the public.
PerSecondNews had reported that Kira on Sunday expressed fears over her father’s condition, heightening anxiety among family members and fans.
In the early hours of Sunday, Per Second News reported that the family’s WhatsApp platform had been filled with anxious messages, with relatives and close associates asking questions about the actor’s deteriorating condition and whether he would survive the health crisis.
By 11:30 p:m on Sunday, Ogogo’s remains arrived in Ilaro, where the atmosphere immediately changed from anxiety to mourning.
Family members, friends and members of the Ilaro Muslim Community had already begun making arrangements for his final journey, while residents who had followed his career for decades gathered around the family home to catch a final glimpse of the actor.
The body was taken to the residence of the Chief Imam of Ilaro, where it was cleaned in preparation for the burial rites.
A few minutes later, prayers were offered before the remains were moved to the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground, the designated venue for the funeral prayers.
As the body arrived, security personnel were confronted with the daunting task of controlling the crowd, with virtually everyone wanting to be part of the final farewell.
The adjoining streets were unusually busy, with shops and markets around the venue closing temporarily as residents made their way to the Pavilion.
Traders abandoned their stalls, motorists struggled through the packed roads and sympathisers stood along the streets, waiting for the funeral procession.
It was a rare moment when the normally quiet town appeared to pause to mourn one of its own.
At the Pavilion, the emotion was palpable. Ogogo’s colleagues, including Jide Kosoko, Olaiya Igwe, Yinka Quadri, Madam Saje and Dele Odule, joined hundreds of mourners at the venue.
Tears flowed freely as several of the veterans struggled to speak about a man many described as a friend, brother, mentor and dependable colleague.
The funeral prayers, conducted in accordance with Islamic rites by members of the Ilaro Muslim Community, provided another deeply emotional moment.
As prayers were offered for the repose of his soul, mourners stood shoulder to shoulder, while some openly wept.
For many present, the reality that the man they had known for decades would no longer return to the screen appeared difficult to accept.
From the Pavilion streets to the main area where the body was presented for the final prayers, there was heavy human and vehicular traffic.
People came from different parts of Ogun State and beyond, struggling through the crowd for a glimpse of the remains of the actor whose name had become synonymous with Yoruba cinema.
It was a burial that showed how much Ogogo’s people love him at home. He’s adored by many, especially those who see him as role models and cheerful giver.
Ogogo, who is survived by two wives and children, was remembered not only for his contribution to Nollywood but also for the values he tried to instil in his family.
In his last moments, he reportedly urged his children not to cry but to remain united, focused and committed to building on his legacy.
He also reminded them of the importance of keeping the family together and loving everyone equally.
Speaking with Per Second News, a market woman who identified herself as Alhaja Risikat described Ogogo as a man with a large heart who never forgot his roots.
“He was not the type of person who would pass you and pretend not to know you. He cared about people, and that is why you can see this crowd today. Ilaro has lost one of its own,” she said.
Another motorist, Adekunle Ogunleye, said Ogogo’s death had created a vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
According to him, “He was more than an actor to us. He was someone the people could identify with. He carried Ilaro with him wherever he went, and we are proud of the life he lived. His death is painful, but his legacy will remain.”
A herb seller, who simply gave her name as Mama Iyabo Alagbo said she was pained to know that she was sick rather late as she could have prescribed herbs that could have helped reduce the effect of the cancer.
She said;”I have been into herbs’ business gor 24 years and I was particularly pained because I wasn’t briefed on time about his illness. Ogogo is kind to us, very blunt and cheerful. We could have salvaged the situation if one was briefed early but we leave everything to unquestionable God.”
As this reporter moved around the venue, speaking with sympathisers and observing the crowd, one message was repeated in different forms: Ogogo would be greatly missed.
From elderly residents who remembered his early days to young people who grew up watching his films, mourners spoke of an actor who had successfully connected generations through his craft and personality.
One of Ogogo’s unfulfilled dreams was to establish an academy where young people could be trained in acting and other aspects of filmmaking.
This was disclosed by his close friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, who struggled to hold back tears while speaking about the late actor.
Quadri said life without his bosom friend would never remain the same, adding that their long friendship had created memories that would be difficult to replace.
The streets of Ilaro remained filled with mourners from far and near, many standing in twos and threes, discussing the sudden departure of an icon the town had looked up to for years.
Conversations moved from his acting career to his family life, philanthropy, friendships and the memories he left behind. The mood was one of collective loss, with virtually every corner of the town carrying a story about Ogogo.
At exactly 11:49am, the remains were moved from the Pavilion to Oke Ila, where his family house is located.
The procession attracted another sea of mourners as sympathisers followed the vehicle and walked along the streets, some singing while others observed the solemn procession in silence.
At the family burial ground, the crowd became even more emotional as Ogogo was laid to rest beside his mother’s grave.
The final moments were marked by prayers and tears, with members of his family and close associates standing nearby as the earth was gradually returned over his remains.
For Ilaro, the burial brought to an end a painful 24-hour journey that began with anxiety over Ogogo’s health, turned into grief following news of his death and ended with his final return to his ancestral home.
As the crowd slowly dispersed from Oke Ila, the silence that followed appeared to say what words could not: Ilaro had lost a son, Nollywood had lost an icon, and a family had lost a husband, father and friend whose presence could never be replaced.
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