“Don’t cry, my princess” — Ogogo’s final message to daughter emerges

One of the daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has shared an emotional exchange she had with her father weeks before his death.

Kira Taiwo shared the conversation on her Instagram Story on Monday, following the actor’s death on Sunday at the age of 66. The exchange, dated 26 July, showed the veteran actor reassuring his daughter and encouraging her to remain strong.

Ogogo reassured daughter

In the emotional conversation, Ogogo told Kira that seeing her and her sister’s smile gave him strength, while urging her not to cry.

“How are you? I heard you are crying. Seeing you and your sisters smile is making me strong. If you cry, it will make me sad, and I will start to think,” he wrote.

The actor, who was Muslim, also encouraged his daughter to trust in Allah, telling her, “Be strong. I am strong. Nothing is going to happen to me, insha Allah. If you do, then don’t cry, my princess.”

Kira responded that she was not crying and reaffirmed her faith.

“Daddy, I’m not crying oo… don’t mind Haleemah. I trust in Allah, sir. I love you very much,” she wrote.

Ogogo replied, “Love u too, my princess.”

Family had sought medical assistance

The emotional exchange came weeks before the family disclosed that Ogogo was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for medical assistance.

Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, had made separate emotional appeals on Instagram after the actor’s condition deteriorated.

Lima said the family only discovered the seriousness of his illness about three weeks earlier because his physical appearance had initially not suggested that he was seriously ill.

Kira later disclosed that the cancer was at stage four and that the hospital treating him could no longer administer chemotherapy, prompting the family to seek other medical options.

Ogogo dies at 66

Ogogo died at about 3pm on Sunday, according to a burial announcement shared by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

He was scheduled to be buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, according to Islamic rites. A lying-in-state ceremony was scheduled for 11am at the Pavilion, Ilaro, while the Ilaro Muslim Community announced that the burial prayer would be held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground at 10am.

Legacy in Yoruba cinema

Ogogo was a prominent figure in the Yoruba film industry whose career spanned several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director.

His death has triggered tributes from colleagues, fans and other Nigerians who have continued to remember his contribution to the Nigerian film industry.