Entertainment

Tears Flow in Ilaro as Nollywood Veteran Ogogo Is Laid to Rest

Published

2 months ago

August 24, 2026

Tears Flow in Ilaro as Nollywood Veteran Ogogo Is Laid to Rest

Family, colleagues, and fans gathered in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday to bid an emotional farewell to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who was buried according to Islamic rites following his death from stage-four cancer at the age of 66.

OGUN STATE, Nigeria – Tears flowed freely in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday as the remains of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, affectionately known as Ogogo, were taken to their final resting place. An emotional atmosphere pervaded the burial site as family members, friends, colleagues, and sympathizers gathered for the funeral ceremonies of the 66-year-old actor. A video of the funeral procession showed mourners carrying Ogogo’s remains toward the burial location in accordance with Islamic tradition. The actor’s remains had been transported to his hometown of Ilaro a day earlier, following his death on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m. The burial prayer took place at 10 a.m. at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, as announced by the Ilaro Chief Imam. A lying-in-state ceremony was held at the Pavilion from 11:00 a.m. on Monday, attended by family, colleagues and well-wishers.

Among those attending the burial was Ogogo’s close friend and colleague, Yinka Quadri, who was seen crying excessively as mourners tried to console him. The heartbreaking sequence highlighted the anguish of the actor’s colleagues and loved ones as they bid him farewell. Videos of Quadri’s emotional breakdown, alongside Jide Kosoko and other colleagues, were widely shared on social media. Yinka Quadri had shared a decades-long friendship and bond with Ogogo, and the two actors were born in the same year, making Ogogo’s death a particularly painful loss for Quadri. His grief was palpable as Ogogo’s remains were carried for the final burial rites.

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Prominent Nollywood actors arrived in Ilaro for the funeral, including Jide Kosoko, Fathia Balogun (also known as Faithia Williams), Femi Adebayo, Mr Latin, and Toyosi Adesanya. Ireti Osayemi, Bisi Omo Logbalogba, Dele Odule, Olaiya Igwe, Rafiu Balogun, and Bisi Ibidapo-Obe were also in attendance, along with other colleagues, family members, and friends. Jide Kosoko, who announced Ogogo’s death on Sunday, had stated that the actor’s remains would be transported to Ilaro, where the burial would take place on Monday. The Ilaro Muslim Community arranged the burial prayer for the legendary actor.

Ogogo died just days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, made an emotional public appeal for medical help for their father, who was suffering from stage-four cancer. In a viral video, Kaira pleaded for help, saying, “I no want my papa to die” and revealed that doctors had advised the family that they could no longer administer chemotherapy due to his condition. Kaira disclosed that the family was not seeking financial assistance but wanted medical experts or anyone with the expertise to treat her father. She revealed that hospitals had refused to treat him and that although he had secured an Indian visa, he was declared unfit to fly abroad for treatment. She also disclosed that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Senator Yayi, had been footing the bill for Ogogo’s treatment. Before his death, Ogogo reportedly received hundreds of offers of medical, spiritual and other forms of assistance from Nigerians, colleagues and well-wishers. Yinka Quadri had disclosed that more than 300 people, and possibly over 500, contacted the family with offers of assistance.

The actor was a towering figure in Nigeria’s film industry, particularly for his work on Yoruba-language films, with a career stretching more than four decades. He appeared in over 100 films and became one of the most recognizable faces in Yoruba cinema. Ogogo’s breakthrough role came in 1995 with “Owo Blow,” directed by Tade Ogidan, which earned him the Best Actor of the Year award at the 1997 THEMA Awards and turned him into a household name almost overnight. Other notable films that defined his career include “Agbelebu” (1995), “Danfo Driver” (1995), “Okan Soso” (2004), “Ekun-Ayo” (1996), “Omin” (2008), “Elewon” (2009), “Omo Ghetto” (2010), and “Bank Alert” (2023). His role as Alaafin Ademuyiwa in Kunle Afolayan’s 2022 Netflix film “Aníkúlápó” introduced him to a global audience and earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs). He reprised the role in the sequel, “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre” (2024), marking one of the final major roles of his career.

Before his acting career took off, Ogogo worked as a mechanic in 1981. He later worked at the Water Corporation for about 13 years before leaving in 1994 to pursue acting full-time. He attended Christ Church School in Ilaro for his primary education and Gazikia College in Lagos for his secondary education. Ogogo came from a family of twins – his forefather was a twin, his father was a twin, and his mother gave birth to twins four times. He was the last surviving of his parents’ twins. His parents had 13 children, of whom only three survived. He was also a trained boxer, a skill he did not hide. The actor had previously spoken about battling chronic ulcer for six to seven years, describing it as one of the darkest chapters of his life. As the Yoruba film industry mourns the loss of one of its most beloved figures, Ogogo’s legacy as a talented actor, dedicated filmmaker, and cultural ambassador will continue to inspire generations of Nigerian creatives.

Tears Flow in Ilaro as Nollywood Veteran Ogogo Is Laid to Rest

Related Topics:buried Featured Nollywood Ogogo

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Entertainment

Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize

Published

4 days ago

October 5, 2026

Trends Admin

Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize

Temi Nkem has emerged as the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 11, taking the N160 million grand prize at the grand finale of the reality television show.

Nkem was crowned winner of the “Show Ya Sef” edition on Sunday, October 4, 2026, after 70 days in the BBNaija house.

The 21-year-old, whose real name is Temitope Chigbue, secured 25.87 per cent of the final votes to finish ahead of Aikou, who polled 23.68 per cent and emerged as the first runner-up. Sheba finished in third place with 9.80 per cent of the votes.

The finale brought the competition among the remaining housemates to an end after a season that featured weekly tasks, nominations, evictions and several twists.

The BBNaija Season 11 winner will receive a prize package valued at N160 million, comprising N90 million in cash, a brand-new SUV and other sponsored prizes.

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The cash component was adjusted from the initially announced N100 million after N10 million was allocated to the season’s Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) prize fund.

Nkem’s victory also makes her the fifth female winner in BBNaija history, following previous female champions Mercy Eke, Phyna, Ilebaye and Imisi.

The season began on July 26 with 24 housemates competing for the grand prize. The finale eventually narrowed the field to nine finalists before the final positions were determined through viewers’ votes.

During the live finale, Aikou was announced as the first runner-up, while Sheba finished as the second runner-up.

The finale also featured performances by Nigerian singers Teni and Oshamo and was hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

With her victory, Temi Nkem succeeds Imisi, the winner of BBNaija Season 10, as the latest champion of the popular Nigerian reality television franchise.

Temi Nkem Wins N160m BBNaija Season 11 Grand Prize

Entertainment

‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge

Published

4 days ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Teni Calls Out Tiwa Savage for Boxing Fight, Gets Bold Response

‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge

Nigerian music stars Tiwa Savage and Teni have sparked excitement online after exchanging a playful boxing challenge, with Tiwa responding to Teni’s call-out by telling her to “Pick a date.”

The exchange began after Teni challenged Tiwa Savage to a boxing bout in a social media video while discussing the wealth and lifestyles of some Nigerian entertainers.

Teni jokingly called out Tiwa and proposed a multi-billion-naira purse for the potential showdown, saying she was ready to step into the ring with the award-winning singer.

At one point, Teni mentioned ₦1.5 billion while discussing the proposed fight and joking about whether the money could be enough to purchase a Bugatti. She also made another reference to ₦3 billion in a subsequent social media post, leading to differing reports about the amount attached to the challenge.

Teni further joked that she would defeat Tiwa in the ring before performing Tiwa’s hit song “My Darling” for her afterwards.

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Tiwa responded to the challenge in the comments section with three words: “Pick a date.”

The brief response quickly went viral, with fans interpreting it as Tiwa accepting the proposed Teni vs Tiwa Savage boxing match.

However, there is currently no official confirmation that the bout has been organised. No fight date, venue, promoter, contract, rules or official purse has been announced by either artiste or a recognised boxing promoter.

The reported financial figures should therefore not be treated as an agreed fight purse. They originated from Teni’s playful social media challenge rather than an announced professional boxing deal.

The exchange comes at a time when celebrity boxing in Nigeria is attracting growing public attention, with entertainers and reality TV personalities increasingly participating in exhibition bouts.

Recent events have featured celebrities including Phyna, Nkechi Blessing, Carter Efe and Speed Darlington, helping to generate interest in entertainment-driven boxing events.

Phyna recently defeated actress Nkechi Blessing by knockout in a celebrity boxing event in Lagos organised under the Chaos in the Ring series.

The growing popularity of such events has created a new crossover between Nigeria’s entertainment and boxing industries, with celebrity rivalries increasingly being turned into sporting spectacles.

For now, however, the proposed Teni and Tiwa Savage boxing bout remains a social media challenge. Tiwa’s “Pick a date” response has nevertheless left fans waiting to see whether the playful exchange will eventually turn into an actual celebrity boxing event.

‘Pick A Date’ — Tiwa Savage Accepts Teni’s Boxing Challenge

Entertainment

“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola

Published

5 days ago

October 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Captain Matthew Ekeinde

“Sometimes, I Wonder Why I Married My Husband” — Omotola

Veteran Nollywood actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has opened up about the realities of her 30-year marriage, admitting that there are moments when she wonders why she chose her husband, Captain Matthew Ekeinde.

The actress made the disclosure during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where she discussed love, marriage, friendship and the challenges involved in sustaining a long-term relationship.

Omotola explained that marriage does not mean feeling romantic love for one’s partner every single day, adding that her husband understands the different emotions that can arise in a long-term relationship.

“My husband knows that I don’t love him all the time,” she said.

The actress also spoke candidly about moments when she notices other attractive men and jokingly questions her choice of husband.

“There are days that I’d see fantabulous guys, and I’d be like, I picked this one over you?” she said.

However, Omotola stressed that such moments do not mean that her marriage is troubled. Instead, she described her relationship with Matthew as a partnership built on commitment, understanding and the freedom for both individuals to remain themselves.

“Our marriage is not that serious. We’re partners,” she said.

The actress said she and her husband have also learned to acknowledge their imperfections instead of pretending that their relationship is always perfect.

According to her, open communication and honesty have helped them navigate disagreements and the changing emotions that come with a long-term marriage.

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Omotola has previously maintained that divorce is not an option for her, while also acknowledging that every couple has to make decisions based on their individual circumstances.

She and Matthew married on March 23, 1996, and marked their 30th wedding anniversary in March 2026.

The couple have four children and have remained together through Omotola’s successful acting career and Matthew’s career as an airline pilot.

The actress has previously credited her husband’s selflessness, trust and willingness to support her career among the factors that have helped sustain their relationship.

Her latest comments have generated conversations about the realities of long-term relationships, particularly the distinction between romantic feelings and the commitment required to maintain a marriage over several decades.

Omotola’s remarks suggest that, for her, a lasting marriage is not necessarily about experiencing intense romantic feelings every day but about choosing partnership, communication and commitment even when emotions fluctuate.