REMEMBERING: Ogogo and Ireti's Legacy in 90s Nollywood

Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo, and the late actress Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola, called Ireti, were key figures in Yoruba-language films during the 1990s. They often played lovers on screen, which made them a popular duo.

Their chemistry led many fans to think they were dating. But Ogogo later cleared the air, saying their relationship was strictly professional.

Ireti was among the talented young actresses who helped boost the popularity of Yoruba home videos in the 1990s. She was born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and was known for her skill in playing various roles, from cultural to romantic characters.

She became famous as Ireti in 1993 after portraying the character in the film Asiri Nla, directed by veteran actor Jide Kosoko. The name stuck, and many fans recognized her more by Ireti than her real name, Adebimpe Adekola.

Ireti trained with the Odunfa Caucus, a well-known theatre group in the Yoruba film scene. This group was founded in 1986 by respected actors like Yinka Quadri, Ogogo, and Razak Ajao, known as Araosan, along with filmmaker Abbey Lanre.

Other stars from the Odunfa Caucus include Saheed Balogun, Faithia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi, Sanni Alli, Funke Akindele, Aina Gold, Iyabo Ojo, Kemi Afolabi, and Yomi Gold. Her ties to the group led to her frequent collaborations with Ogogo.

The two often acted as couples in films, which fueled rumors about a possible romance and even marriage. This speculation continued even after Ogogo got married in 1994, with some thinking he was having an affair with Ireti.

Ogogo later made it clear that there was no romantic relationship between them. In an interview with Yes Ng in 2017, he described Ireti as someone he mentored in the industry. He explained why they often appeared together.

“She was my girl, my sister, my baby. Let me put it that way. She was my baby, I nurtured her and she cannot be in this group and we have a part she can perfectly play in a production and begin to look for someone from another group. Forget that we got fixed up in others and mostly played couples. Ours was not the first. It is done abroad.”

About the marriage rumors, he said, “Though some people made that mistake about Ireti and I; that we will get married. But we had nothing like that in mind. We both knew why we were in the industry. I am happily married and she was a very serious-minded person. So, there was nothing between us except a business relationship.”

Ireti passed away in September 2002 at a hospital in Lagos after a short illness. Her death shocked her colleagues, fans, and others in the Nigerian movie industry. It was especially hard on the Odunfa Caucus, where she was trained and appeared in many productions.

She acted in several films like Ike Owo, Agba Akin, 23/24 Loro Ile Aye, Edunjobi, and Sikira Ereko, among others. Ireti left behind her son, Tomiwa Adekola, who was just a few months old at the time.

Almost 24 years after Ireti’s death, Ogogo also passed away, bringing back memories of their place in Yoruba Nollywood history. Ogogo died at 66 on Sunday, August 23, 2026. His death was announced by fellow actor Jide Kosoko.

After his death, his remains were taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, where he was buried according to Islamic customs. Many colleagues, friends, and associates from the entertainment world were present for his burial, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Femi Adebayo, Faithia Williams, Dele Odule, and Bolaji Amusan, known as Mr Latin.

Ogogo’s death led to many tributes from colleagues and fans, who remembered his role in the growth of Yoruba-language cinema. He began his acting career in the early 1980s and became a prominent figure in Yoruba Nollywood, working as an actor, producer, and filmmaker.

His passing has brought back memories of his remarkable partnerships, especially with Ireti, who died more than two decades before him. While their relationship was professional off screen, their on-screen roles as lovers made Ogogo and Ireti a memorable pair in the 1990s Yoruba film era.