Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, had encouraged his daughter, Kira Taiwo, to remain strong in an emotional exchange weeks before his death.
Kira shared the private conversation on her Instagram Story on Monday, a day after the 66-year-old actor died.
The exchange, dated July 26, showed Hassan reassuring his daughter while asking her not to cry because seeing her and her sisters happy gave him strength.
Ogogo reassured his daughter
In the conversation, Hassan told Kira that he had heard she was crying and explained that seeing his daughters smile helped him remain strong.
He urged her to stay positive and said he would become worried if she continued 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 Muslim actor also encouraged his daughter to place her trust in Allah and remain hopeful about his condition.
“Be strong. I am strong. Nothing is going to happen to me, insha Allah. If you do, then don’t cry, my princess,” Hassan told her.
Kira responded by assuring her father that she was not crying and that she remained confident in her faith.
“Daddy, I’m not crying oo… don’t mind Haleemah. I trust in Allah, sir. I love you very much,” she replied.
Hassan responded simply: “Love u too, my princess.”
Family had sought help for his illness
The exchange came only weeks before Hassan’s family publicly disclosed the severity of his health condition and appealed for assistance.
His daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, separately shared emotional appeals on Instagram as the actor’s condition worsened.
Lima said the family only became fully aware of the seriousness of his condition about three weeks before his death, noting that his physical appearance had not initially indicated how ill he was.
Kira later disclosed that Hassan had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer and said the hospital treating him could no longer continue chemotherapy, prompting the family to explore other treatment options.
Ogogo’s burial
Hassan died at about 3pm on Sunday, according to a burial announcement by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.
He was scheduled to be buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, according to Islamic rites.
A lying-in-state ceremony was scheduled for 11am at the Pavilion in Ilaro, while the Ilaro Muslim Community announced that the burial prayer would take place at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground.
Hassan was a major figure in the Yoruba film industry, having spent decades working as an actor, filmmaker and director.