A touching message exchanged between late veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, and his daughter, Kira Taiwo, weeks before his death has emerged, offering a glimpse into the actor’s final days.
Kira shared the emotional conversation on her Instagram Story on Monday, a day after her father died at the age of 66.
The exchange, dated July 26, showed Ogogo reassuring his daughter and encouraging her to remain strong despite his health condition.
In the message, the actor told Kira that seeing her and her sisters happy gave him strength, while pleading with 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,” Ogogo wrote.
The actor, who was a Muslim, further encouraged his daughter to remain hopeful and trust in Allah.
“Be strong. I am strong. Nothing is going to happen to me, insha Allah. If you do, then don’t cry, my princess,” he added.
Kira, in response, assured her father 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 replied.
Ogogo responded affectionately, saying, “Love u too, my princess.”
The exchange has taken on a deeper emotional meaning following the actor’s death, coming weeks before his family publicly revealed the severity of his health condition.
Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, had earlier appealed to Nigerians and medical professionals to help find appropriate treatment for their father after his condition deteriorated.
The daughters disclosed that Ogogo was battling stage-four cancer and said they were seeking medical assistance rather than financial support.
Lima had said the family only became fully aware of the seriousness of his condition weeks earlier, while Kira revealed that the hospital where he was receiving treatment could no longer administer chemotherapy.
The family subsequently sought other medical options as colleagues and well-wishers rallied around the veteran actor.
Ogogo died at about 3pm on Sunday, according to a burial announcement by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.
He is expected to be buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, according to Islamic rites.
A lying-in-state ceremony is scheduled for 11am at the Pavilion, Ilaro, while the Ilaro Muslim Community announced that the burial prayer would take place at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground.
Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in the Yoruba film industry, with a career spanning more than four decades as an actor, filmmaker and director.
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