DEATH has no manual or format of operation. The only difference between life and death is that life can be daunting, challenging, or friendly while death has nothing to do with friendliness. It walks with sorrow and tears where ever it goes. Aside from that, both life and death are not selective. They can visit anyone. When life visits, the world will revolve around you with merriness, and when death visits, the world still revolves around you with condolences. The one who enjoys life today should take caution; death is in the pocket. On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the popular Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan Ogogo put upon a greatness trust. Ogogo omo kulodo gave it all to death after a tough battle with cancer. Between Ogogo and death, it was a survival of the fittest. At the end, death won. The stage 4 cancer inundated and left Nollywood in a somber mood.
History has its ways of preserving and reserving names on its pages. Among the actors whose names are written in gold on the pages of Nollywood history is the late Ogogo. He was among the stars I grew up knowing with relevance until his last breath. Down to the memory lane, Taiwo Hassan Ogogo shined bright in the era of black and white screen television. Ogogo was among the faces one looks out for on a VHS cassette to identify an interesting movie. As a movie lover, laying hands on a cassette to pick intriguing movie relies on the character’s face pasted on the cassette. Late Taiwo Hassan comes first with Yinka Quadri known as Kura in the realm of most preferred actors on the black and white screen.
Ogogo’s relevance in the era of black and white was not based on immoral scenes; his actions and energy on set were more than scintillating, a very thorough, combative character full of street orientation. From all indications, many tough actors playing street boys roles picked from the late legend. He paved the way. From the black and white VHS cassette to coloured screen television with DVD player, Ogogo dominated the scene with diversification from street urchin character to more local roles that reflect customs and tradition. Playing the role of a king, chief, father or chanter in epic movies increased his relevance in the Nollywood. Many movie lovers appreciated the new Ogogo’s transition, featuring in ‘epic-sodes.’ He was relevant among his peers and contemporaries. He was not just a mere actor; he was among the A-lists.
The late Ogogo never relented in his art in the era of LED plasma TV, YouTube, and, of course, Netflix series movies. He never lived in past glory for once throughout his career. He identified his niche from the onset, embraced it, and became most sought after for his roles. He maintained his relevance and championed it. In the words of Isaac Asimov, American author and professor of biochemistry, ‘Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.’ The troublesome transition has occurred in the Yoruba movie industry, a painful one. American writer Isabel Allende, Chilean posits that ‘Just as when we come into the world, when we die, we are afraid of the unknown. But the fear is something from within us that has nothing to do with reality. Dying is like being born: just a change.’ But this change is too heavy to bear, a great loss to the creative world.
We all live to die but to live in the hearts of people is never to die. Ogogo Omo Kulodo will continue to live in the hearts of many for his remarkable impacts on the screen. Like every mortal being, the late Taiwo Hassan has reached the bus stop. He left a footprint that cannot be erased in the industry. Brymo in his Olanrewaju music says ‘Gbogbo eni abi lo ma ku, iwa ti awu lo ma ku’meaning all living souls shall taste death, but what we do while alive will live after us. The death that kills one’s kinsman is speaking in parables. Taiwo Hassan left the screen already; he would forever be a great actor, even in death. Tell Hubert Ogunde, Baba Suwe and others you have played your part distinctively. May your soul continue to rest in peace, not in pieces. Farewell to the action man. Ogogo Omo kulodo.Adieu!