The late veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, explained in a 2024 interview that his iconic stage name originated from his family's traditional praise poetry, Oriki. Hassan, who passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, shared this revelation during a conversation with City People, shedding light on a name that became synonymous with Yoruba cinema for over four decades.
From Akede Oba to 'Olohun Iyo'
Hassan began his entertainment career in 1981 as an Akede Oba, a performer responsible for reciting the Oriki of royalty and chiefs. His exceptional skill in this role earned him the initial nickname "Olohun Iyo" among his peers. In the interview, he recounted: "The name Ogogo is my Oriki. Many don't know how I started my acting career. I started with the role of an Akede Oba, meaning I was always doing Oriki (eulogy). I was always reciting the Oriki of Kings, Chiefs. I did it so well that people called me Olohun Iyo then."
As Yoruba home video productions gained popularity in the 1990s, Hassan integrated self-eulogy into his performances, drawing directly from his family's praise lines. He explained: "When we started home video, I will eulogise people and I will eulogise myself. I will say things like Emi omo Ogogo, a ku lodo……So, when we started doing modern play, my friends now said Ogogo Wa Joor, that is how the name Ogogo came to stay. It is my Oriki. It is my fathers Oriki. I always recite it."
Co-Founding the Odunfa Caucus
The name Ogogo became inseparable from his identity both on stage and on screen. Hassan added: "Emi Omo Ogogo a ku lodo, Omo ku lomi lomi……People like to hear it. I used to say it when we are doing plays on stage."
Beyond his stage persona, Hassan was a co-founder of the Odunfa Caucus, a theatre group credited with nurturing several of Yoruba cinema's most celebrated talents. His contributions to the industry spanned more than four decades, making him a pivotal figure in the development of Yoruba home videos.
Funeral Rites and Family Revelations
In related news, Legit.ng reported that Ogogo's friend and actor Yinka Quadri attended his funeral rites in Ilaro, Ogun State. Additionally, Hassan's first wife, Ajoke Taiwo, spoke publicly for the first time after his death, revealing that the actor had asked her to quit acting after their marriage. Ajoke, who was already an actress before Ogogo joined their group, said he requested she leave the profession to dedicate her time to their children. Her account provides a personal glimpse into the late actor's private life, complementing the public legacy of his stage name and career.
