Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, had urged his daughter, Kira Taiwo, not to cry and to remain strong in an emotional exchange weeks before his death.
Kira shared the conversation on her Instagram Story on Monday, a day after the 66-year-old actor died following a battle with stage-four cancer.
The exchange, dated July 26, showed Ogogo reassuring his daughter while revealing that seeing her and her sisters smile gave him strength.
The late actor wrote, “How are you? I heard you are crying. Seeing you and your sisters smile is making me strong. If you cry, it will make me sad, and I will start to think.”
Ogogo, who was a Muslim, also encouraged Kira to trust in Allah and remain hopeful.
“Be strong. I am strong. Nothing is going to happen to me, insha Allah. If you do, then don’t cry, my princess,” he added.
Responding to her father, Kira assured him that she was not crying and expressed her faith in Allah.
“Daddy, I’m not crying oo… don’t mind Haleemah. I trust in Allah, sir. I love you very much,” she wrote.
Ogogo replied, “Love u too, my princess.”
The emotional exchange took place weeks before Ogogo’s family publicly disclosed the seriousness of his health condition and appealed for medical assistance.
Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, later made separate emotional appeals on social media after their father’s condition deteriorated.
Kira disclosed that the actor had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer and said the hospital treating him could no longer administer chemotherapy, prompting the family to seek other medical options.
Lima also revealed that the family only became aware of the seriousness of Ogogo’s illness about three weeks earlier, noting that his physical appearance had initially not suggested that he was seriously ill.
Ogogo died at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66, according to a burial announcement shared by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.
His remains were taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, where his burial was scheduled to take place on Monday.
Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades. His death has continued to attract tributes from colleagues, fans and other Nigerians.