Sowore, Atiku Mourn Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Tributes Pour In

African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have joined the growing tributes to veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following his death after a battle with cancer.

Sowore, in a condolence message, expressed sympathy to Ogogo’s family, friends, colleagues and the wider Nollywood community, describing the actor as an extraordinary performer whose distinctive voice and commanding presence made him instantly recognisable on screen.

He noted that Hassan had spent more than four decades contributing to Yoruba cinema and Nigeria’s wider film industry.

“My profound condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Nollywood community in Nigeria over the untimely passing of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan popularly known as Ogogo, who died today following a battle with cancer,” Sowore said.

According to him, Ogogo’s unique acting style and remarkable performances earned him a lasting place in Nigeria’s film history.

Sowore concluded his tribute by praying for the late actor to “rest in power” and adding, “May the force continue to be with him!”

Atiku also described the actor’s death as deeply saddening, particularly coming only days after Nigerians became aware of his battle with cancer.

“The news of the passing of celebrated Nollywood actor, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, is deeply saddening,” Atiku said.

The former vice president said Ogogo was more than a talented actor, noting that he used his career to entertain, educate and inspire audiences across generations.

He said the actor brought laughter into countless homes and told stories that reflected Nigerian society while using his talent to promote social change.

Atiku said Hassan’s death had created a painful void in Nigeria’s creative industry and among the millions of people who admired his work.

He extended his condolences to the actor’s family, colleagues and admirers in Nigeria and around the world.

Atiku also prayed for Allah to forgive Hassan’s shortcomings, comfort his loved ones and grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus.

The tributes come as Nigerians continue to mourn the 66-year-old actor, whose death followed an emotional appeal by his daughters for urgent medical assistance after the family learnt of the severity of his condition.

Ogogo was one of the prominent faces of Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

Lagos Government Mourns Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’

The Lagos State Government has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor and cultural icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Hassan’s death as a major loss to the creative and cultural community.

Benson-Awoyinka extended the ministry’s condolences to the actor’s family, friends, colleagues and members of the Nollywood and wider creative arts community.

The commissioner described Hassan as more than an actor, noting that he played an important role in promoting and preserving Yoruba culture through his decades-long career.

According to her, the late actor was a custodian of culture and a gifted storyteller who used his work on stage and screen to showcase Yoruba heritage while entertaining generations of Nigerians.

She said Hassan’s contributions to Yoruba culture, theatre and the entertainment industry helped shape the cultural landscape of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Taiwo Hassan was more than an actor. He was a custodian of culture, a gifted storyteller, and a proud ambassador of Yoruba heritage,” Benson-Awoyinka said.

She added that his dedication to the creative sector had left a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.

The ministry also commiserated with Hassan’s family and the entire Nollywood community, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss to those who were touched by his talent, passion and warmth.

“We pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” the commissioner stated.

Hassan, who died at the age of 66 after battling cancer, was one of the notable figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

His death has continued to attract tributes from government officials, colleagues and admirers across Nigeria.

Yayi Mourns Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Family Prepares for Burial

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has mourned veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following his death after a battle with cancer.

In a condolence message issued through his Media Adviser, Chief Kayode Odunaro, Adeola described the actor’s death as a major loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry, Ogun State and the country at large.

Adeola said he was particularly saddened by the death of Hassan, whom he described as a brother who had worked actively in support of his political cause and the interests of their people.

“I am greatly saddened by the death of a brother who believed and worked assiduously for my cause and the cause of our people,” Adeola said.

He commiserated with Ogogo’s immediate family, acknowledging their efforts to keep the actor alive during his illness, and prayed for them to find strength during the difficult period.

The senator also noted Hassan’s contributions to society through filmmaking and advocacy, saying his positive impact would remain part of his legacy.

Adeola promised to continue supporting the actor’s family during their period of mourning, adding that the good deeds of the late actor would not be forgotten.

The development comes as tributes continue to pour in for the veteran actor, following confirmation of his death by members of his family and people close to him.

Ogogo’s daughter, Kaira Taiwo, was seen in an emotional Instagram live session on Sunday, where she struggled to contain her emotions while speaking about her father’s death.

Fellow actor and filmmaker Saheed Balogun also paid tribute to the late actor in an Instagram post.

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. You can rest now, my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful,” Balogun wrote.

Ogogo’s death came only days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, publicly appealed for urgent medical assistance for their father.

The sisters had disclosed that the family recently became aware of the seriousness of his condition and were seeking medical direction, including access to specialists and advanced treatment facilities.

Kaira had also revealed that doctors treating the actor had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of his condition, prompting the family to seek other possible treatment options.

The veteran actor, who was 66, was one of the prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer, director and filmmaker.

His death has continued to generate reactions across the entertainment industry and beyond, with colleagues, political figures and admirers remembering his contribution to Nigerian cinema.

The family is expected to commence burial arrangements for the late actor on Monday, according to information emerging following his death.

Nollywood Mourns Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Colleagues Rally Around Veteran Actor’s Family

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66.

Ogogo’s death was confirmed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with his daughter, Kira Taiwo, announcing the development during a live session. Fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed the death to TheCable. 

The actor’s passing came just days after colleagues, friends and members of the public rallied around his family following the revelation that he was battling stage-four cancer.

Before his death, several prominent figures in the Yoruba entertainment industry had publicly expressed concern over his deteriorating health and joined calls for prayers and medical assistance.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had earlier spoken on the enormous response from people seeking to assist Ogogo, revealing that the family had received hundreds of offers of medical, spiritual and other forms of help.

Kosoko appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for Ogogo while explaining that moving the actor from the hospital for alternative treatment was difficult because of his condition. 

Ogogo’s longtime friend and fellow veteran actor Yinka Quadri also expressed solidarity with him during the health crisis.

Quadri shared an edited photograph of himself with Ogogo on Instagram and acknowledged the widespread concern and prayers being offered for his friend. His post attracted emotional reactions from fans and colleagues who were following Ogogo’s condition. 

Another emotional moment came from veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba, who publicly prayed for Ogogo during a wedding ceremony on Sunday.

Ayuba, who was performing at the event, reportedly spoke about Ogogo’s condition after seeing Yinka Quadri at the venue. He prayed for Ogogo’s recovery and recalled a previous holy pilgrimage they had undertaken together.

The moment was particularly emotional because it occurred on the same day reports of Ogogo’s death emerged. At the time of Ayuba’s prayer, the singer was still publicly expressing hope for his friend’s recovery. 

The entertainment community had also gathered for a special prayer session for Ogogo as his health deteriorated. Several veteran Yoruba actors and filmmakers were among those who came together to pray for the actor and offer support to his family. 

Ogogo’s daughters, Lima and Kira, had earlier made emotional appeals for assistance, revealing that the family only became aware of the seriousness of his condition weeks before.

They said they were not seeking financial donations but needed access to medical professionals, hospitals and specialists who could provide possible treatment options.

Kira later disclosed that doctors had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of the advanced stage of the cancer.

The family’s appeal generated widespread concern across Nigeria, with fans and colleagues hoping that another treatment option could be found.

However, Ogogo has now died, bringing an end to the desperate search for medical assistance that had dominated discussions around the actor in recent days.

His death also comes only five days after his family dismissed an earlier social media report claiming that he had died.

On August 18, Lima Taiwo described that report as false and urged members of the public to stop spreading fake information about her father. 

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language Nollywood, building a career that spanned several decades as an actor, producer, director and filmmaker.

His passing has left fans and colleagues mourning a veteran whose career helped shape Yoruba cinema and whose work remained familiar to generations of Nigerian movie audiences.

More tributes from colleagues, entertainers and other public figures are expected to emerge as the industry comes to terms with his death.

Canada Falls Behind 2026 Immigration Target After Admitting 182,100 New Permanent Residents

Canada admitted 182,100 new permanent residents during the first six months of 2026, putting the country below the pace needed to achieve its revised immigration target for the year.

New figures released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on August 18 showed that 155,800 permanent residents arrived between January 1 and June 30 through the country’s main immigration programmes.

Another 26,300 people obtained permanent residency through two special initiatives created for protected persons and eligible workers already living in Canada.

The combined figure of 182,100 admissions represents about 40.8 per cent of Canada’s adjusted 2026 target of 446,000 permanent residents.

Canada’s original immigration levels plan had set a target of 380,000 permanent resident admissions for 2026. However, the inclusion of the two special initiatives increased the effective target to 446,000.

At the current pace, Canada would need to admit another 263,900 permanent residents between July and December to reach the adjusted annual target.

Economic immigration accounted for the largest proportion of permanent residents admitted during the first half of the year.

IRCC recorded 89,200 economic-class admissions by the end of June, compared with the government’s full-year target of 239,800. At the halfway point of the year, the category was therefore around 30,700 admissions behind the pace required to meet its annual goal.

The economic immigration category includes programmes such as Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, federal business programmes and several economic pilot schemes.

The family class recorded 45,100 permanent resident admissions during the first six months of the year.

With an annual target of 84,000, the family category was approximately 3,100 admissions ahead of the pace needed by the end of June to reach its full-year target.

The category covers spouses, partners and dependants sponsored by Canadian citizens or permanent residents, alongside parents and grandparents sponsored through the Parents and Grandparents Program.

Canada also admitted 17,900 permanent residents under its refugees and protected persons category by June 30.

The government’s 2026 target for the category is 49,300, leaving admissions about 6,750 below the pace required at the halfway point.

The category includes government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees, as well as people already in Canada who have been granted protection through the Immigration and Refugee Board or the pre-removal risk assessment process.

The country’s 2026 immigration figures also include special measures designed to provide permanent residency to protected persons and workers already established in Canada.

Through the initiatives, Canada aims to admit 46,000 protected persons and 20,000 in-Canada workers during 2026.

By June 30, IRCC had recorded 15,000 admissions under the protected-person initiative and another 11,300 under the in-Canada workers initiative.

That represents approximately 33 per cent of the protected-person target and 57 per cent of the target for eligible workers already living in Canada.

The In-Canada Workers Initiative is designed for qualifying skilled workers who have lived in a rural Canadian community for at least two years and have applied for permanent residence through an eligible programme.

Meanwhile, Canada is also seeking to strengthen French-language immigration outside Quebec.

IRCC reported that 12,400 of the permanent residents admitted outside Quebec during the first half of 2026 were French-speaking or bilingual.

The federal government has set a target for French-speaking immigrants to account for 9 per cent of permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2026.

One of the measures being used to increase francophone immigration is French-language category-based selection through Express Entry.

Of the 114,865 invitations to apply issued through Express Entry during 2026, 39.6 per cent had gone to French-speaking candidates.

With less than half of its adjusted annual target achieved by the end of June, Canada will need to significantly increase permanent resident admissions during the second half of the year if it is to reach its revised target of 446,000 newcomers.

The figures come as Canada continues to adjust its immigration policies amid efforts to balance labour-market needs, population growth and pressure on housing and public services.

Shakhtar Donetsk to Play Champions League Home Games at Stamford Bridge

Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk will play their home matches in this season’s UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge, the home ground of Chelsea.

The arrangement comes after Chelsea failed to qualify for European competition following a disappointing 2025/26 campaign, leaving Stamford Bridge available for Shakhtar’s Champions League home fixtures.

Chelsea confirmed the agreement, saying the club was pleased to provide Shakhtar with the opportunity to host their European matches in London.

“Given Chelsea FC’s disappointing 2025/26 season and failure to qualify for European football, the club is pleased to provide FC Shakhtar with the opportunity to play in London,” Chelsea said.

The Premier League club added that Shakhtar had previously played their home matches in different countries across Europe and said it looked forward to welcoming the Ukrainian side to London for their Champions League campaign.

Chelsea also said it would work closely with Shakhtar in the coming weeks to ensure that matchdays are conducted safely and smoothly for both the Ukrainian club and its supporters.

Shakhtar welcomed the agreement, describing the opportunity to play their Champions League home fixtures at Stamford Bridge as a special one.

“Playing our Champions League home matches at Stamford Bridge is a special opportunity for Shakhtar. We are grateful to Chelsea Football Club for the opportunity to host our games at this special venue,” the Ukrainian club said.

Shakhtar added that Stamford Bridge’s history and atmosphere would provide a memorable experience for both Ukrainian and English supporters.

“Stamford Bridge is one of the most famous stadiums in world football, with an incredible history and atmosphere. We are convinced that Shakhtar’s matches in London will provide unforgettable emotions for Ukrainian and English fans,” the club said.

The decision continues Shakhtar’s long-running search for suitable venues outside Ukraine amid the ongoing war, which has prevented the club from regularly hosting European fixtures at its traditional home.

Stamford Bridge will therefore provide the Ukrainian champions with a high-profile London base as they begin their latest Champions League campaign.

Laptop Catches Fire on American Airlines Flight, Passenger Receives Medical Treatment

A passenger received medical treatment after a laptop caught fire aboard an American Airlines flight travelling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

The incident occurred on American Airlines Flight 2398 on Friday, with the aircraft reportedly experiencing smoke from a passenger’s device during the landing process.

According to audio obtained by CBS News, the pilot alerted air traffic control to a “cabin fire in the back of the airplane” and said flight attendants were attempting to put it out. The pilot also reported that several passengers may have been burned by the laptop.

“I think we have about four to five passengers that were burned by the laptop. The laptop is contained about mid-aircraft,” the pilot was heard saying.

The flight subsequently landed safely at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where emergency personnel met the aircraft as part of standard procedures.

American Airlines confirmed that the aircraft landed safely following reports of smoke from a customer’s device and praised the cabin crew for their response.

“One passenger received medical attention on site and was released,” the airline said.

The aircraft was later moved to the gate after landing.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in laptops, mobile phones, power banks and other electronic devices carried by passengers.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns that lithium batteries can overheat under various circumstances, including when they are damaged, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed.

According to the FAA, 58 verified incidents involving lithium batteries and smoke, fire or extreme heat have been recorded so far this year.

The regulator also said that over the past two decades, battery packs have accounted for the highest number of such incidents, while laptops have been involved in 84 recorded cases.

The FAA requires lithium-battery-powered devices and spare batteries to be carried in passengers’ carry-on baggage rather than checked luggage, allowing cabin crew to respond more quickly if a battery begins to overheat or catch fire.

The latest incident comes amid growing concerns within the aviation industry over battery-related fires aboard aircraft.

In May, an EasyJet flight travelling from Egypt to the United Kingdom was diverted to Rome after a power bank was discovered charging inside a passenger’s luggage in the aircraft’s hold. The flight was eventually rescheduled for the following day.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has also warned that power banks are contributing to a growing number of serious incidents on flights around the world, urging passengers to understand the risks associated with lithium batteries.

Aviation authorities continue to advise passengers to follow airline and regulatory requirements when carrying electronic devices and power banks, particularly ensuring that spare lithium batteries and power banks are not placed in checked baggage.