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.

Angélique Kidjo Makes History as First African Musician to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Beninese music icon Angélique Kidjo has made history as the first African musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Kidjo was honoured with the 2,854th star on the famous Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, marking another major milestone in her decades-long career and international influence.

The four-time Grammy Award winner has become one of Africa’s most celebrated musicians, known for blending West African musical traditions with global sounds and using her platform to promote African culture and social causes.

The historic ceremony attracted several personalities from the African entertainment industry, including Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold, who was in attendance as Kidjo received the honour.

The recognition places Kidjo among the numerous global entertainment figures whose contributions to music and popular culture have been immortalised on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

For the veteran musician, the honour represents a significant moment not only in her career but also in the global recognition of African music and its influence on the international entertainment industry.

Kidjo has spent decades performing on major international stages and collaborating with artistes from different parts of the world, helping to introduce African sounds and stories to wider audiences.

Her latest honour adds to a long list of achievements that have established her as one of Africa’s most influential musical figures.

“Mr Little Penis”, “Mr Toto Beggar”: Davido and Wande Coal Trade Words on Social Media

Afrobeats stars Davido and Wande Coal have traded insults on social media following a disagreement over an unreleased version of Wande Coal’s 2021 song, “Come My Way.”

The exchange began after a viral interview in which Davido discussed his unreleased contribution to the song, claiming that Wande Coal had approached him to record a verse before the original version was released.

Davido explained that he believed Wande wanted to release the original song first and later put out his contribution as a remix, a plan he said he did not agree with because he had not recorded the verse as a remix.

The comments caught Wande Coal’s attention, prompting him to challenge Davido’s account on X.

Wande argued that “Come My Way” already had a release plan and date before Davido recorded his contribution. He also accused Davido of attempting to dictate how a song that belonged to him should be released.

“Carry song come give you as how? Song wey been get release plan and date!!! Song wey no be your own you wan dictate release plan. That song fuckin did well without you on it bruv,” Wande wrote.

Davido responded to the singer with a personal jab, writing: “No vex Mr little penis.”

Wande Coal quickly fired back, replying: “No vex too Mr toto beggar,” a reference to a previously viral video involving Davido.

The exchange has since attracted significant attention from fans and other social media users, with many reacting to the unexpected war of words between the two established Nigerian artistes.

While the disagreement centres on the unreleased version of “Come My Way,” the exchange has now shifted from the song’s release history to a personal back-and-forth between the two singers.

It remains unclear whether Davido’s unreleased contribution to “Come My Way” will ever be officially released.

Taiwo Hassan’s Daughter Debunks Death Rumour, Says Actor Still Alive

The daughter of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that the 66-year-old actor has died.

The death rumour surfaced on Tuesday after a Facebook user claimed that one of Ogogo’s daughters, Haleemah Taiwo, had announced his death.

The post alleged that the actor had died after being rejected by different hospitals and claimed that he was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

However, Ogogo’s daughter, Lima Taiwo, dismissed the report as false, urging members of the public to stop spreading the claim.

In a reaction shared on Instagram, Lima repeatedly described the report as fake, writing: “This is false!!!!!!! This is false!!!!! This is false!!!!! This is false!!! THIS IS FAKE… PLEASE STOP SPREADING FAKE NEWS.”

Her clarification came a day after she and her sister, Kira Taiwo, separately appealed for urgent medical assistance for their father, who is battling cancer.

In an emotional video shared on Instagram on Monday, Lima disclosed that the actor’s health condition had deteriorated and alleged that some hospitals had declined to continue treating him.

Fighting back tears, she appealed to medical professionals, hospitals and individuals with access to advanced cancer treatment facilities to assist the family in finding a way to continue his treatment.

Lima said the family only became aware of the seriousness of her father’s condition about three weeks earlier, explaining that his physical appearance had initially not suggested the severity of the illness.

She also stressed that the family was not seeking financial donations but urgently needed medical assistance, including access to specialists and facilities capable of treating his condition.

In a separate emotional video, Kira revealed that her father’s cancer was at Stage 4 and said the hospital currently treating him had informed the family that it could no longer administer chemotherapy.

Kira also appealed to hospitals, cancer specialists and medical professionals with possible treatment options to come forward and assist the veteran actor.

She urged anyone who could help the family access appropriate medical care to contact either her or her sister, stressing that she remained determined to find a way to secure treatment for their father.

The latest clarification means reports of Ogogo’s death are false, although his family has confirmed that he is facing a serious health challenge and is in urgent need of medical assistance.

The family is therefore appealing to the public to avoid spreading unverified reports about the actor’s condition and instead help connect them with credible medical professionals and cancer treatment facilities.

Shemariah Newsroom urges members of the public to rely on verified information from the actor’s family and credible sources regarding his health.

Tupac Shakur Murder Trial Begins Nearly 30 Years After Rapper’s Death

The long-awaited trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the former Los Angeles-area gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 murder of legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, has begun in a Las Vegas courtroom.

The trial opened on Monday, nearly three decades after Shakur was fatally shot in Las Vegas and about a week after jury selection was completed.

Davis, who was arrested in September 2024, has pleaded not guilty to a murder charge involving the use of a deadly weapon in connection with gang activity.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Binu Palal told jurors that Davis had a strong motive to target Shakur following an earlier confrontation involving Orlando “Baby Lane” Anderson, Davis’ nephew.

Palal alleged that the confrontation, which occurred before the fatal shooting, fuelled Davis’ anger towards Shakur and those around him. According to the prosecution, Davis obtained a firearm and handed it to Anderson, who was subsequently involved in the shooting at the vehicle carrying Shakur.

Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while travelling through Las Vegas in a BMW with Death Row Records co-founder Marion “Suge” Knight after attending a Mike Tyson boxing match. The rapper died six days later at the age of 25.

Palal told the jury that the case remained unresolved for years partly because of the culture of silence surrounding gang activity.

He argued that “silence means survival” in the world of gangs, but said Davis eventually broke that silence through interviews and a book in which he allegedly discussed his involvement in the events surrounding Shakur’s death.

The prosecutor also read from a passage attributed to Davis in which he allegedly described the attack as retaliation for the earlier confrontation involving his nephew.

Davis’ defence lawyer, Michael Sanft, presented a sharply different account, arguing that prosecutors were presenting what he described as fictional details as established facts.

Sanft attacked the police investigation that eventually led to Davis’ arrest, alleging that important investigative records were missing and accusing law enforcement agencies involved in the case of misconduct and incompetence.

The defence also questioned the handling and testing of the alleged murder weapon.

Sanft alleged that Los Angeles Police Department detective Long was provided with a “fake” gun to test, raising questions about the reliability of evidence connected to the firearm.

He also criticised the work of another detective, Clifford Mogg, describing the investigation as “biased, sloppy and incomplete.” Sanft alleged that Mogg failed to properly document some information received during the investigation.

The defence further challenged the credibility of prosecution witnesses, arguing that some had criminal records, financial motivations and histories of making inconsistent statements.

Davis has maintained his not-guilty plea as the prosecution and defence present competing accounts of what happened on the night Shakur was shot.

Tupac Shakur’s murder has remained one of the most prominent unsolved cases in music history. The rapper, whose real name was Tupac Amaru Shakur, was one of the most influential figures in hip-hop before his death at the age of 25.

For decades, investigators were unable to bring charges over the killing, despite numerous theories and years of public speculation.

Davis’ arrest in September 2024 marked a major development in the case and eventually paved the way for the current trial.

The proceedings are expected to examine the events leading up to the shooting, the alleged involvement of Davis and others, witness accounts, police evidence and statements Davis made about the case over the years.

The prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defence will seek to convince jurors that the investigation and evidence presented against Davis are unreliable.

Nearly 30 years after Tupac’s death, the trial could provide the most detailed examination yet of the events surrounding the rapper’s final hours.