Through the years: Ogogo and the colleagues who became family

By Aderinola Abimbola

The Yoruba film industry was more than just a place to build a career for late Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo but a place where most of his lifelong friendships was formed.

The veteran actor, whose career spanned across more than four decades in theater worked alongside generations of performers, many of whom became friends, confidants and, in some cases, almost family.

One of those relationships is his friendship with fellow veteran actor Yinka Quadri. The actor recently opened up on their relationship, revealing that he and Ogogo met in 1984. Quadri described Ogogo as his “brother, my confidant, and my companion”, and said he regarded them as “twins from heaven.”

Three Musketeers of the Odunfa Caucus; Dele Odule, Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan

Ogogo’s friendship with Yinka Quadri and Dele Odule was orged at a time when Yoruba theatre was still an important training ground for actors who would later become household names in Nigerian cinema. It grew beyond performances and working together and remained despite occasional disagreements.

Dele Odule also reflected on their relationship that lasted nearly four decades, describing Ogogo as a down-to-earth and free-spirited person who embraced people wholeheartedly.

Ogogo’s professional circle, however, stretched far beyond those closest friendships. His circle grew as he shared the screen with more veterans including Jide Kosoko, Saidi Balogun and Sola Sobowale, as well as several other actors whose careers helped shape Yoruba-language cinema.

Ogogo and Ayinde Barrister

Ogogo’s interactions with younger actors like Femi Adebayo beautifully highlights how veteran wisdom seamlessly passes down to the next generation. Adebayo, who was in attendance at Ogogo’s burial, was part of the generation that helped carry Yoruba storytelling from the stage and television into a much larger film audience.

Ogogo’s place in Yoruba cinema, therefore, cannot be measured only by the films he made or the characters he played. It can also be seen in the people around him, his undeniable impact, colleagues who became friends, friends who became family, and younger actors who inherited a tradition shaped by his generation.

Through the years: Ogogo and the colleagues who became family