File: Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, once revealed how he got the name that became synonymous with his identity and career in the Yoruba film industry.
Hassan, who died on Sunday at the age of 66, disclosed in a 2024 interview with City People that “Ogogo” was part of his family’s eulogy (‘Oriki’), a traditional Yoruba praise name, which he frequently recited during his early days as an actor.
In the interview published by City People on November 9, 2024, Hassan recalled that he began his acting career playing the role of an Akede Oba, a praise chanter who recites the oriki of kings and chiefs.
He said his ability to recite the praise poetry earned him the nickname “Olohun Iyo” before his colleagues eventually adopted “Ogogo” from his family eulogy.
