In Ilaro, the hometown of veteran Yoruba actor and screenwriter Taiwo Babatunde Hassan, mourners gathered to lay the beloved actor to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.
The 66-year-old icon, popularly known as Ogogo, passed away on August 23, 2026, after battling stage-four cancer. His family brought his remains home to Ilaro the following day for a lying-in-state and burial. This drew family, fans, politicians and many of his colleagues in the Yoruba film industry.
The sorrow in the atmosphere was heavy as mourners wept openly, some uncontrollably. Ogogo’s colleagues, who shared decades on stages and sets with him, struggled to hold back tears as they paid their last respects to the humble actor. 
Here is a list of people who were present at the burial of Taiwo Hassan Ogogo.
His Best friend, Yinka Quadri
One of the most heartbreaking videos from the burial was that of Yinka Quadri, who was crying uncontrollably.
Quadri and Ogogo shared one of the closest bonds in the Yoruba Nollywood industry. They met in the 1970s and have been friends since then.
Alongside Abbey Lanre and Rasaq Ajao, they both co-founded the Odunfa Caucus in 1986. The group took its name from Odunfa Street in Ebute Metta, Lagos. It was the street where the young theatre practitioners regularly met to rehearse.
According to Quadri, the group started as informal gatherings and later became a more structured training centre and professional network for actors.
Quadri served as the chairman before becoming the life president of the group, while Ogogo was his close collaborator and vice president. The Odunfa Caucus under the leadership of the founders has coached generations of Yoruba actors.
Although Quadri and Ogogo once had a rift, it was later resolved. Since then, their bond remained profound till Ogogo’s death. At the burial, seeing Quadri weeping for his longtime friend turned brother captured the depth of the loss he felt.
SEE ALSO: From Mechanic to Nollywood Icon: 9 Untold Facts About the Life, Career and Legacy of Ogogo
Abbey Lanre and the Odunfa Caucus Pioneers
Abiodun Olanrewaju, aka Abbey Lanre, was among the mourners too. The actor, writer, producer and director helped shape the Odunfa Caucus into one of the longest-thriving theatre groups in the Yoruba film industry.
Their collective vision turned a Lagos street corner into a pipeline that produced scores of stars and helped professionalise the craft during the transition from stage to video film.
Toyosi Adesanya, a Protégé of Ogogo
Toyosi Adesanya, a product of the Odunfa Caucus, trained for about ten years under Ogogo and the other founders. Adesanya has described Ogogo as a mentor full of integrity and simplicity.
At the burial, she performed, paying tribute and describing him as the boss who trained her
“out of chance” and strongly supported her early productions.
Sanni Alli and Other Products of the Odufa Caucus
Apart from Toyosi Adesanya, Sanni Alli and several other products of the Odufa Caucus showed up to pay their final respects.
The Caucus, which is 40 years old, has trained over a hundred performers. Some of them include Ibidapo-Obe (Bisi Omo Logbalogba), Saheed Balogun, Faithia Williams (who were both present), Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Wunmi Toriola and many others who have become household names.
Prince Jide Kosoko
Prince Jide Kosoko, a royal elder of the Kosoko royal family of Lagos, is a pillar in the Yoruba Nollywood industry.
The veteran actor, director and producer was in a sombre mood throughout the burial.
Kosoko, who has been in the industry for over six decades, had publicly announced Ogogo’s death. He was also involved in coordinating the arrangements as an elder in the industry.
Fausat Balogun
Popularly known as Mama Saje, Fausat Balogun is a veteran actress and one of the enduring matriarchs of the Yoruba Nollywood industry.
At the burial, she was among those who wept, as she offered a personal farewell that showed the respect Ogogo commanded among senior colleagues in the industry.
SEE ALSO: Ogogo Battled Chronic Stomach Ulcer in 2004, Could His 2026 Cancer Diagnosis Be Connected?
Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi)
The Senator representing Ogun West and the
APC governorship candidate of Ogun State is a long-time friend of Ogogo.
The politician, who is also a fellow son of Ilaro in Yewaland, had been publicly praised by Ogogo for his work in community development.
As noted by Ogogo’s daughters, the senator and his family provided significant support during Ogogo’s final illness, arranging medical assistance.
His attendance highlighted the personal and hometown bond he had with Ogogo.
Adewale Elesho (Baba Elesho)
Adewale Elesho, the veteran comic actor and thespian, was also one of the mourners in Ilaro.
The actor, who is known for his memorable roles as a humorous character, shared stages and sets with Ogogo as a senior in the industry.
Other notable faces such as Dele Odule, who was visibly emotional, Mr Latin (president of TAMPAN), Owolabi Ajasa (TAMPAN governor for Ogun State), Fali Werepe, Doyin Kukoyi, Yetunde Wunmi, Kola Ajeyemi and Alhaji Ebun Oloyede all stood together in shared mourning to pay their last respects.
The mood in Ilaro town of Yewaland in Ogun State was of collective grief mixed with the celebration of a life full of impact. Tears flowed, prayers were offered, and tributes were made.
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