The daughters of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have appealed for urgent medical help, revealing that their father is battling stage-four cancer and that hospitals have reportedly declined to continue his treatment.
The daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, made separate emotional appeals on Instagram on Monday, calling on Nigerians, well-wishers and medical professionals with expertise in cancer treatment to help save their father.
In a video posted on Instagram, Lima said the actor’s condition had deteriorated significantly and appealed to anyone with connections to a hospital or medical professional willing to take on his case.
“Hello everybody, good evening. I’m here to ask for help from my daddy. He has cancer and it’s really, really bad. And the hospitals are refusing to treat him. At least, please, give this man a chance,” she said.
Lima said the family only became aware of the severity of his condition about three weeks ago, noting that his outward appearance had not initially suggested that he was seriously ill.
She stressed that the family was not seeking financial donations but medical assistance.
“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 said.
Lima also acknowledged the support provided by a relative during the family’s ordeal.
In a separate video, Kira disclosed that her father’s cancer had reached stage four and said the hospital treating him had told the family that it could no longer administer chemotherapy.
“Hello everyone, I’m here for my daddy. 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 said.
She appealed to anyone capable of providing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, to contact the family.
Kira also expressed appreciation to Senator Yayi, whom she said had been supporting the family and footing the actor’s medical bills.
She reiterated that the family was seeking treatment rather than money, appealing to anyone who could offer medical intervention.
“If you can treat my daddy, if you can start chemo for him, whether it’s medical or herbs, please, I’m begging you, any help, anything, anybody that you know that can treat cancer, please,” she said.
Kira became emotional while speaking about her father’s condition, saying she had never seen him in so much pain.
She also revealed that the actor had expressed fear of dying, adding, “He’s saying that he doesn’t want to die. Please, I’ve never seen my daddy in that kind of pain before.”
Hassan, 66, is a veteran of the Nigerian film industry whose career spans more than four decades. He has featured in more than 300 films and remains one of the most recognisable figures in Yoruba cinema.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the actor’s management nor his family had issued an official statement providing details of the specific hospital, type of cancer or treatment he has received.