Actress Toyosi Adesanya: Ogogo treated everybody like his own children

Toyosi Adesanya, the Nollywood actress, has recounted her experience under the tutelage of Taiwo Hassan, the late actor better known as ‘Ogogo’.

Ogogo died on Sunday at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.

Speaking in an interview with TheCable Lifestyle, Adesanya said she began learning acting under the late actor in 1994 and trained for 14 years at the Odunfa Caucus, an acting group led by prominent Yoruba actors.

“I am one of the proteges of Alhaji Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. I knew him in the year 1994 under the auspices of Alhaji Yinka Quadri, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, Alhaji Abbey Lanre and Alhaji Are Osan,” she said.

“I trained for 14 years at Odunfa Caucus. My Late boss was a man of integrity, an epitome of simplicity…he taught me how to act. I have done many things. During my years of training, I have undergone a lot of training under the tutelage of Ogogo himself.

“Then our rehearsal was Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 to 9 at No. 40 Odunfa street, Ebutte Metta. We really enjoyed our stay with our boss; I don’t want to say ‘late’. How can I even pronounce it? I was devastated since last week when I was talking to his daughter, Shakirat.”

Adesanya also reminisced about how Ogogo treated younger actors with care during rehearsals. She added that the late actor, alongside Yinka Quadri, supported her when she produced her first movie in 2002.

“I was not myself when I received the news of his cancer. All I can I say is that Almighty God should grant him eternal rest. Ogogo is one in a million,” she said.

“We fondly call him Sir. T. Omo Abogun m’ogo. Ire B’gbo. I will never forget all his efforts. Whenever we had rehearsal, he treated everybody like his own children.

“When I was producing my first movie in 2002, he stood by me alongside Alhaji Yinka Quadri. He does not treat us like we were training. Ogogo was the one who paved the way for so many actors. He’s loved. Everybody loved him. My late Boss, rest in the Bosom of Allah, we love you. Rest in peace.”

Ogogo was buried in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday morning.