Family of late veteran Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has announced an eight-day Fidau prayer to mark another stage in the mourning of the celebrated Yoruba film icon.
The prayer is scheduled to hold on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Pavillon, Ilaro, Ogun State, where family members, colleagues, friends and admirers are expected to gather to honour his memory and pray for the repose of his soul.
Ogogo, who died on Sunday, August 23, at the age of 66 after a battle with stage-four cancer, was buried in his hometown of Ilaro the following day in accordance with Islamic rites.
His burial attracted hundreds of sympathisers, including leading figures from Nollywood and government.
News of Ogogo’s death came just days after his daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, had made emotional appeals for urgent medical intervention, revealing the severity of his condition and pleading for specialists capable of treating their father.
TrendscopeNews had earlier reported the desperate search for medical assistance as the family battled to save the veteran actor.
A subsequent report by the platform chronicled his final struggle with stage-four cancer and the remarkable career that had made him one of the most recognisable faces in Yoruba cinema.
His passing triggered an immediate wave of grief across Nigeria’s entertainment industry, with colleagues, government officials and fans describing him as more than an actor — a cultural custodian who helped preserve and project Yoruba heritage through theatre and film.
Ogogo’s journey to stardom was itself remarkable. Born in Ilaro, he began his working life outside entertainment before embracing theatre and eventually building a career spanning more than four decades.
His distinctive command of oriki, stagecraft and Yoruba storytelling helped establish the identity that would later become synonymous with the name “Ogogo.”
He went on to feature in more than 300 productions and became known not only as an actor but also as a filmmaker, producer and screenwriter.
His career included notable works such as Owo Blow, Anikulapo, Omo Ghetto and several landmark Yoruba-language productions.
Beyond the screen, Ogogo’s influence extended into the theatre tradition from which many of Nigeria’s most enduring Yoruba actors emerged.
His friendship and professional relationship with fellow veteran Yinka Quadri also became one of the defining chapters of his career, with both men eventually reconciling after years of reported estrangement.
His death has consequently left a major void in Yoruba cinema, coming at a time when the industry is increasingly looking to preserve the legacy of the pioneers who laid its foundation.
As relatives prepare for the eight-day Fidau, the family has called for prayers for the departed actor and strength for those he left behind.
The organisers urged attendees to pray that Almighty Allah grants Alhaji Taiwo Hassan eternal rest and gives his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.
For a man whose face, voice and performances entertained generations, the Fidau will offer another moment for the Yoruba film community and admirers across Nigeria to say farewell to a true screen legend.
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