The two daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have made an emotional appeal for urgent medical help after revealing that their father is battling stage four cancer.
Lima and Kira Taiwo separately took to Instagram on Monday to appeal to Nigerians, well wishers, medical professionals and healthcare organisations that may be able to provide further treatment for the 66 year old actor.
In emotional videos shared on their respective Instagram pages, the sisters said their father’s condition had deteriorated significantly and claimed that hospitals were no longer willing to continue his treatment.
Lima, who struggled to hold back tears while speaking, appealed for help in finding a medical facility or specialist willing to take on her father’s case.
“My daddy has cancer and it’s really, really bad. And the hospitals are refusing to treat him. At least, please, give this man a chance.”
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She said the family only became aware of the severity of Hassan’s condition about three weeks ago, stressing that his outward appearance had initially given little indication of how serious his illness was.
“You see him, you can’t even know that something is wrong that bad. It’s just starting to show. We didn’t even know until like three weeks ago.”
Lima was particularly emphatic that the family was not appealing for financial donations, but for access to medical care.
“If you know somebody that knows somebody that will be willing to treat him, anything, we’re willing to try anything. We’re not here to ask for money.”
She also acknowledged the support of a relative who, according to her, had stepped in to assist the family during the difficult period.
But her appeal became increasingly emotional towards the end of the video.
“Please, I can’t watch my daddy die. I can’t. I can’t. Please, I’m begging you.”
‘My daddy has stage four cancer’
In a separate video, Kira also appealed for urgent assistance, disclosing for the first time that her father’s cancer was at stage four.
“He has cancer and is in stage four. The hospital is saying that they cannot treat him again, like they can’t give him chemo again.”
She appealed to anyone with access to cancer treatment or specialists who could assess her father’s condition and potentially provide further treatment.
Kira also acknowledged the support of Senator Yayi, whom she said had been helping the family financially and paying her father’s medical bills.
However, like her sister, she stressed that the family’s immediate need was medical intervention, not financial assistance.
“If you can treat my daddy, if you can start chemo for him, whether it’s medical or herbs, please, I’m begging you guys. Any help, anything, anybody that you know that can treat cancer, please.”
She urged medical professionals, hospitals and anyone with relevant connections to contact her or her sister through Instagram.
“Please, if you can treat my daddy, please send me a DM. I’ll be checking my phone. Please, I don’t want my daddy to die.”
Kira became visibly emotional as she described her father’s condition, saying she had never seen him in such pain.
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She also disclosed that Hassan had expressed his fear of dying.
“He’s saying that he doesn’t want to die. Please, I’ve never seen my daddy in that kind of pain before.”
Who is Ogogo?
Hassan, 66, is one of the most recognisable actors in Yoruba cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades.
The veteran actor has featured in hundreds of Nigerian films and has established himself as one of the prominent figures in the Yoruba movie industry.
His popularity extends beyond acting, with Hassan also known for his contributions to the development and promotion of Yoruba theatre and cinema.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Hassan’s management nor the family had issued an official statement providing further details about his diagnosis, the specific type of cancer, the hospital where he is being treated or his current medical condition.
The appeals by his daughters have, however, sparked concern among fans and colleagues, with many Nigerians expected to rally around the veteran actor and his family as they seek urgent medical assistance.
