Video flashback: Ogogo and I-Show Pepper led Hubert Ogunde’s burial in 1990

A new video shows the late veteran actor and traditional chanter, Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo, leading chants during the burial of famous theatre figure Hubert Ogunde in 1990.

The video, shared by the Ogunde Museum, features the performance of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners during the lying in state at the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on Thursday, May 3, 1990.

This old footage was posted on X and Facebook by Yemi King through his handle, #TheYemiKing, on Monday. It shows Ogogo praising (Oríkì) and chanting while Dr Ishola Ogunsola, known as I-Show Pepper, led the dirge and procession during Ogunde’s burial rites.

The video was recorded in May 1990, shortly after Ogunde, who is seen as a pioneer of Nigerian theatre and a key figure in contemporary Yoruba theatre, passed away in London on April 4, 1990.

In the clip, a young Ogogo, who would later become a well-known face in Yoruba-language cinema, is seen fulfilling the traditional role of a chanter at the funeral of another major figure in Nigerian theatre.

I-Show Pepper, who led the dirge and procession, later passed away on December 28, 1992.

More than thirty years after he joined Ogunde’s burial, Ogogo died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66.

His family revealed that he was fighting stage-four cancer and had asked for medical help as his health worsened.

Reports say his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, urgently sought medical care for him after doctors told the family that chemotherapy could not continue due to his condition.

Ogogo was buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday, August 24, in line with Islamic traditions, according to PUNCH Online.

His remains were taken to Ilaro before the final rites, with the funeral prayer held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground.

Born and raised in Ilaro, Ogogo became a well-known actor, filmmaker, and traditional chant performer in the Yoruba film industry, with a career lasting several decades. He was famous for his roles in Yoruba-language films and his efforts in keeping Yoruba culture alive.

Ogunde, whose burial Ogogo helped lead in 1990, was one of Nigeria’s top theatre practitioners.

He started the first modern professional theatrical company in Nigeria and was highly regarded as a significant figure in contemporary Yoruba theatre.

The late Ogunde also produced and directed films like Jaiyesinmi, Aiye, Aropin N’Tenia, and Ayanmo.

The throwback video was captioned: “Video Throwback: Late veterans Ogogo, I-Show Pepper chant, lead burial procession of late Hubert Ogunde in 1990: Òkú ń sunkún òkú, Akáṣọlérí ń sunkún ara wọn.”

It also mentioned that I-Show Pepper later passed on and that Ogogo, who took part in the burial procession years ago, had himself died and was being buried in Ilaro.

The footage captures Ogogo at an earlier point in his career, performing at the funeral of a theatre legend, before his own death and burial over 36 years later.