The daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have appealed for urgent medical assistance for their father, who they disclosed is battling stage-four cancer.
Lima and Kira Taiwo made separate emotional appeals on Instagram on Monday, asking Nigerians, well-wishers and medical professionals with experience in cancer treatment to help the 66-year-old actor.
In a video shared on her Instagram page, Lima said her father’s condition had deteriorated and that hospitals had reportedly declined to continue treating him. Fighting back tears, she appealed to anyone with access to medical professionals or facilities who would be willing to take on the actor’s case to come forward, describing his condition as very serious and pleading for someone to give him a chance.
According to Lima, the family only became aware of the severity of the actor’s condition about three weeks earlier, noting that his physical appearance had not initially suggested how serious his illness was, and that the signs had only just started to show. She stressed that the family was not soliciting money but was seeking medical intervention for their father, appealing to anyone who knew someone willing to treat him, insisting they were willing to try anything.
Lima also acknowledged the support the family had received from a relative, whom she said had provided significant assistance during the difficult period.
In a separate video, Kira disclosed that the actor’s cancer was at stage four and said the hospital treating him had indicated that it could no longer administer chemotherapy. She appealed to individuals, hospitals and medical professionals capable of treating cancer to come forward, saying the family was willing to explore available treatment options, whether medical or herbal.
She also acknowledged Senator Yayi for what she described as significant financial support towards her father’s treatment. Kira urged anyone who could assist with her father’s treatment to contact her or her sister, saying she was determined to find a way to help him.
She became emotional while describing the actor’s condition, saying she had never seen her father in such pain, and expressed how difficult the situation had been for the family despite lacking financial resources, appealing once more for anyone who could help.
According to Kira, Ogogo had also expressed fears about dying, saying he had told her he did not want to die, and reiterating that she had never before seen her father in that kind of pain.
Hassan is one of the most recognisable figures in Yoruba cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades. He has appeared in more than 300 films and has established himself as a prominent actor in the Nigerian film industry.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the actor’s management nor his family had issued an official statement providing details about the specific hospital, type of cancer or diagnosis.
The family’s appeals, however, have drawn attention to the actor’s reported health condition and their search for medical professionals or facilities willing to continue his treatment.
