The family of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has been urged to seek the best possible medical advice and ensure that his treatment is coordinated by qualified specialists as they continue efforts to manage his reported critical health condition.
The appeal comes amid growing public concern over the actor’s health following reports that he is battling stage four cancer and an emotional appeal by his family for urgent medical assistance.
The family and management team have disclosed that they have received offers of assistance from hundreds of individuals within and outside Nigeria who are willing to help the 66-year-old actor access treatment.
In a statement shared by veteran actor Jide Kosoko, the team expressed appreciation to fans, colleagues, friends and well-wishers for their prayers and offers of medical and other forms of assistance.
Kosoko, however, explained that the overwhelming number of offers had created a logistical challenge, particularly because Ogogo is currently receiving care in a hospital.
“We have received offers from more than 300, and even over 500 people, each sincerely believing that they have something that could help him. The challenge is simply: Where do we take him to? And how do we move him from the hospital while he is receiving care?” he said.
The situation underscores the importance of the family obtaining a clear, medically coordinated treatment plan rather than moving the actor from one location to another in response to numerous individual offers.
At this critical stage, the family may need to identify a competent medical team, preferably one with relevant expertise in the management of advanced cancer, to review his medical records, establish his current condition and advise on the most appropriate treatment and supportive-care options available to him.
Where necessary, the family could also seek a second or specialist opinion from a reputable cancer centre or oncology team before making major decisions about his treatment.
This would enable the family to distinguish medically appropriate interventions from unverified claims of cures or treatments, while also ensuring that any additional intervention being considered does not interfere with the care he is already receiving.
Kosoko said many people had contacted the family claiming to have spiritual assistance, treatment options or other interventions that they believed could help Ogogo.
“We have received hundreds of such offers, and we sincerely appreciate every single one of them,” he said.
While prayers and emotional support remain important to the family, the reported severity of Ogogo’s condition makes professional medical guidance particularly important. Any proposed treatment should, ideally, be discussed with and assessed by the doctors currently responsible for his care.
The family should therefore consider appointing one or a small number of trusted representatives to coordinate all offers of assistance. Such an arrangement could help prevent confusion and allow medical professionals to assess credible offers without repeatedly disrupting Ogogo’s treatment.
Kosoko appealed to members of the public not to stop praying for the veteran actor, saying the family remained hopeful about his recovery.
“However, we humbly appeal to everyone not to stop praying for Ogogo. Please, continue to pray with us. We believe strongly that, with your prayers, our prayers, and the mercy of Almighty God, Taye will come out of this situation successfully. There is nothing impossible before Almighty God,” he said.
The family also appealed to those who have offered assistance to understand why it may not be possible to physically take Ogogo to them.
According to Kosoko, moving the actor from the hospital to different locations at this stage could be difficult and potentially complicated by the large number of people offering to help.
“It is extremely difficult to move him from the hospital to different locations at this stage of his treatment, especially considering the large number of people who have offered to help,” he said.
The family’s inability to accept every offer should not, however, be interpreted as a rejection of those trying to help.
“Please understand that our inability to bring Ogogo to anyone does not mean that we do not appreciate you, nor does it mean that we doubt your intentions or your desire to help,” Kosoko added.
The latest statement followed an earlier emotional appeal by one of Ogogo’s daughters, who said the family was desperately seeking medical assistance for the actor.
In a video circulating on social media, the daughter said the family was not asking members of the public for money but was seeking a hospital or medical professional willing and able to treat her father.
She alleged that hospitals had been unwilling to treat the actor and appealed to anyone who could connect the family with appropriate medical professionals or facilities to intervene.
The daughter said the family only became aware of the severity of his condition about three weeks earlier.
She further appealed for any possible medical intervention, saying the family was willing to explore available options, while clarifying that the family was not soliciting financial donations.
Given the circumstances, medical experts may need to carefully assess Ogogo’s condition, including the nature and extent of the cancer, his current clinical status, previous treatment and any complications, before recommending the next course of action.
The family should also be cautious about unverified treatments, particularly when presented as guaranteed cures. Offers from individuals claiming to have alternative or spiritual solutions should not replace evidence-based medical care or be pursued at the expense of the actor’s safety.
Rather than attempting to respond individually to hundreds of offers, the family could ask interested medical professionals and organisations to submit their proposals through a designated representative. Qualified doctors can then review those proposals and determine whether any of them could safely complement or improve the actor’s existing care.
Ogogo, whose real name is Taiwo Hassan, is one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria’s Yoruba-language film industry. He has enjoyed a career spanning several decades as an actor, filmmaker and director and is widely recognised for his roles in Yoruba-language productions.
Hassan began his acting career in the 1980s and gained wider recognition through his performances in films including Owo Blow. He has remained an influential figure in Nollywood.
As concern over his condition continues to grow, the priority should be to ensure that every decision concerning his treatment is guided by competent medical advice, careful coordination and the best available evidence, while allowing his family, friends, colleagues and millions of admirers to continue providing the prayers and emotional support that have accompanied him throughout his career.
For Ogogo’s family, the overwhelming response from Nigerians and admirers around the world represents an important source of strength. The challenge now is to channel that goodwill into a coordinated effort that places the actor’s safety, dignity and appropriate medical care at the centre of every intervention.
