Ogogo’s colleagues seek help as daughter reveals actor is too ill to fly

Veteran actor and screenwriter Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan is getting support from his colleagues after his daughters shared that he has stage-four cancer and cannot travel abroad for medical treatment.

Kira and Haleemah, Ogogo’s daughters, shared emotional videos revealing their father's condition and asking for public support as they looked for treatment options.

This news led many Nigerians, especially Ogogo's fans, to call for his transfer abroad for specialized medical care.

Haleemah mentioned that the family thought about going abroad but could not do so because their father was not fit to fly. “We’ve tried, but he’s not fit to fly,” she posted on Instagram.

After the news broke, several of Ogogo’s colleagues reached out to Nigerians to help find medical specialists and hospitals that can treat him.

Among those supporting him are Bolaji “Mr Latin” Amusan, Femi Adebayo, Muyiwa Ademola, Bimbo Oshin, Odunlade Adekola, Mide Martins, and Ibrahim Yekini, among others.

The actors and filmmakers shared videos from Ogogo’s daughters and pictures of the veteran actor on social media. They asked people with relevant medical contacts to assist.

Mr Latin called on anyone who knows a medical specialist who can help Ogogo to contact Kira, Haleemah, or any of the actor’s colleagues. He urged Nigerians to help the family get the specialized care Ogogo needs urgently.

“We appeal to everyone to support Uncle Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. We urgently need qualified medical professionals and cancer specialists to advise us on the best treatment options. We cannot afford to gamble at this stage.”

Oshin also took to Instagram on Tuesday to ask Nigerians who know of good hospitals, cancer specialists, or oncologists to recommend them to the family, whether in Nigeria or abroad.

“With a heavy heart, I’m sharing this and asking for your help. Our dearest Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is currently battling stage 4 cancer, and his family is urgently looking for the right medical help and treatment options. The family is not asking for money.

“If you know anyone who can help, please reach out. And if you don’t, kindly share this post. You never know who might see it and have the connection that could make a difference. Please, let’s keep Taiwo Hassan in our prayers,” the actress wrote.

Ademola, in an appeal on his Instagram page, said Ogogo’s situation has gone beyond taking chances with treatment.

He urged anyone who knows a specialist or facility that can treat the actor to recommend them to the family.

“With sadness, trembling hands and hope, I repost this! Uncle Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, as his daughter seeks help from medical professionals on treatment opportunities. Please and please, we need who is sure! We can’t gamble at this stage! We need your help! It’s not about money but means to get him treated,” he posted.

Adebayo, in a message on his X page, said the family is not looking for financial help but recommendations for good hospitals and advanced treatment centers that can review Ogogo’s medical records and offer alternative treatment options.

He urged Nigerians to rally around the veteran actor and spread the video widely until it reaches someone who can help.

The actor noted, “As shared by his family, they are not looking for money or financial support. What they urgently need is medical direction. They are seeking recommendations for standard hospitals, specialists, or advanced treatment centers anywhere in the world that can review his files and provide treatment options right now.

“If you know someone who knows someone in the oncology space, or a medical avenue that can assist, please help reach out to his family immediately.”

Earlier reports mentioned that Ogogo’s daughters said many hospitals had turned their father away because of his condition.

They expressed their fear of losing their father and appealed for urgent help to get appropriate treatment for him.

According to the daughters, doctors diagnosed Ogogo with cancer about three weeks ago. They said the actor is determined to survive and wants to live.

Ogogo's last film appearance was in “Oye Agba”, where he starred alongside Olaniyan Tosin, Jaye Kuti, and others.

He started his acting career in 1981 after working as a mechanic. In 1994, he left his job with the water corporation to focus on acting full-time.

Over the years, Ogogo has acted in many films, including “Atitebi”, “Agbelebu”, “Agbo-Odaju”, “Danfo Driver”, “Amerah”, “Aníkúlápó”, “Bank Alert”, “IGE”, and “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre.”