Nollywood stars have rallied around veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, following an appeal from his daughters for urgent medical assistance as he battles stage-four cancer.
The actor’s daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, appealed to Nigerians, medical professionals and well-wishers on Monday for help in finding appropriate treatment for their father.
Following the appeal, actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo and actress Toyin Abraham joined efforts to connect the family with oncology specialists and advanced medical facilities that can review Hassan’s medical records and advise on available treatment options.
Adebayo, in a post on X on Monday, urged members of the public to help identify qualified oncology specialists, hospitals and cancer treatment centres that could assist the veteran actor.
“Please let’s rally around our beloved Sir Taiwo Hassan, who is currently facing a serious health challenge battling cancer,” Adebayo wrote.
The actor stressed that the family was not seeking financial donations but urgently needed medical expertise and guidance.
According to Adebayo, anyone with connections to oncology specialists or specialised treatment centres should contact Hassan’s family and help circulate the appeal.
Toyin Abraham also joined the campaign on Tuesday, sharing a video featuring Hassan’s daughters on Instagram and urging anyone who could provide assistance to contact the family or reach out to her directly.
The renewed support followed emotional appeals by Lima and Kira, who disclosed their father’s condition and sought help in securing appropriate medical care.
Lima said Hassan’s health had deteriorated and alleged that hospitals had declined to continue treating him. Kira also stated that her father could no longer continue chemotherapy at his hospital.
The sisters emphasised that their immediate priority was not financial assistance but access to qualified medical professionals who could assess their father’s condition and determine possible treatment options.
The appeal has sparked widespread concern across Nollywood, with colleagues and fans rallying behind Hassan, one of the longstanding figures in Yoruba-language cinema.
Hassan, 66, has spent more than four decades in the Nigerian film industry and has featured in more than 300 films. His career has made him a prominent figure in Yoruba cinema, with his work spanning several generations of Nigerian actors and filmmakers.
The development has also renewed conversations about access to specialised cancer care and the challenges faced by families when conventional treatment options become limited.
For now, efforts are focused on connecting Hassan’s family with qualified oncology specialists and a medical facility capable of reviewing his medical history and determining whether additional treatment options are available.
The support from fellow Nollywood stars has amplified the family’s appeal, raising hopes that the renewed attention will help connect the veteran actor with the medical expertise and care he urgently needs.