A few weeks back, City People Magazine visited veteran actor, Ogogo who is one of the co-founders of the famous Odunfa Caucus in the Yoruba Movie Industry. The visit was part of City People’s ongoing visit to veteran actors and movie icons in the industry.
We met him at the Odunfa Caucus location, on Odunfa Street at Ebute Metta, Lagos. He was already waiting for us.
As we sat down with him to talk about his career, Ogogo congratulated City People at 28 and we in turn commended him for having built his craft into the big brand it is today. Though his name is Taiwo Hassan, everyone simply calls him Ogogo. How did he get the nickname? How has he been able to sustain his craft and continue to remain relevant in the scheme of things in the industry?
His brand is so powerful that a lot of movie producers go for him.
They want his face and name on their movie jackets and promo. They believe the name Ogogo sells their movies. It is true.
In celebration of its 28th anniversary, wanted to discuss his illustrious career, personal journey, and the magazine’s role in the entertainment industry. The veteran actor, known for his iconic roles in Yoruba films, warmly welcomed the City People team and praised the magazine for its integrity, distinguishing it from others that specialise in damaging people’s reputations. “City People is not among the bad eggs that destroy lives,” he said.
Ogogo, famous for his discipline and sincerity, opened up about his earlier health challenge, an 8-year battle with Ulcer, during which various unfounded rumours were spread about him. He took the opportunity to thank God for his recovery and acknowledged City People’s positive contributions to his career and life.
He also revealed his new venture into real estate. Ogogo shared the story of how he started his real estate company called Ogogo Royal Estate, stating the premium services his company offers. He expressed his gratitude to the construction company that partnered with him, enabling him to build a solid business foundation.
At what stage is he now, we asked. “We thank God that some of us have built a formidable reputation for ourselves in the industry. I now tell my Marketers, this is the amount I want to collect.”
Before now, if you produce a movie you will be waiting for the marketer to sell the job before they give you your royalty which may be peanuts. For some people, any amount is given to them that is the end of it. But some of us don’t access that any longer.”
“I tell my marketer that for every job I give to you this is the amount I will collect.”
“I would not wait until you tell me so far so good I was able to sell a little.”
“I started that thing on Ere gele taking Royalty on my jackets, which I believe it is in my favour. It pays me. It pays you. You will realise your money, and I will realise mine”.
“One of the reasons I like City People is because you don’t bring people down.
If you do I will say it. City People is not among the bad eggs that destroy people’s lives & reputation. If you do it, I will say it today.”
“I am such a person that is bold. I don’t pretend. I will tell you what I can do and what I can’t do.”
That is why I worked with Abdulrazaq Abdullahi of Corporate Pictures at the beginning. We didn’t have any agreement since the day we started our business.”
“Maybe after 1 or 2 or 3 months, he will just say Sir Tee e ja ka rira ooo. And when you get to his office he will just open his phone and explain all the expenditure to you. This is the amount we took to release, after that I printed this, so altogether we have so, so amount.”
“This is what is left, so how do you want to take your money? That is a good example. There are others you can’t trust. I am not biased at all. I live my life based on principles. 28 years is no joke. City People has come to stay.
Alhamudilhahi for everything in life”.
“I have had my trying period. I was sick for almost 8 years. I saw many funny stories that were not true. City People is not among.”
“I told some people close to me what happened. You sent some people down to me to come and ask me what happened which I told them. I told them I had Ulcer. Some said he carried Cocaine. Some said I carried Hard Drugs. Some people in Idumota kept saying we hear he is dead ooo. Some will call me. And I will tell them I am the one speaking to them.”
“I will tell them I am weak. I don’t have the strength but I am alive.”
“They won’t believe me. Then came the news that I was dead. A lot of rumours were flying around. Am I not the one alive today talking to you?
I contributed a lot to Corporate Pictures.”
“Personally, I contributed more than 80% to Corporate/ Pictures because I don’t work for any other marketer. I went to the table he was sitting at a party. One day I challenged him at Ray Ejiwunmi’s mother’s 75th birthday when he sent me a message that when is our next script so that we could plan for location he didn’t hear from me, and he did not call me. I told him off. I said what I should not have said. All those who were interested in the matter, I told them to shut up. I told them when I am talking to Rasaq you don’t talk and he himself knows the kind of person standing before him.”
“He knows if he says a word I will battle him there and then.
I took all the Marketers on, one by one.”
“I told them how bad what they are doing is. We are the ones making money for them. They make money from us but don’t give us our worth. I tongue-lashed each one of them. I gave it to them. I shut everyone up.”
“What some people in the media did shocked me. The 1st person who called me up and said what is wrong with you was the 1st person who put it in the paper that same time. He now avoided me for more than 3 good years. The day we were going to meet again it was in London. I don’t want to mention his name.”
“He was avoiding me. He was scared. We met at an award. I now took the mic. I now called his name. I said stand up. I now told all the guests in the hall to please thank him for me because he was the one who let the whole world know I was sick. I said lets forget about the bad sides of what he wrote that was not true. A lot of people now stood up and begged me.”
“That was a big lesson.
He came to meet me later to embrace me and apologise to me.
How did he get the stage name Ogogo?
Is Ogogo his real name or alias? He smiled. “The name Ogogo is my Oriki. Many don’t know how I started my acting career. I started with the role of an Akede Oba, meaning I was always doing Oriki. I was always reciting the Oriki of Kings, Chiefs. I did it so well that people called me Olohun Iyo then.
When we started home video, I will eulogise people and I will eulogise myself. I will say things like Emi omo Ogogo, a ku lodo……So, when we started doing modern play, my friends now said Ogogo Wa Joor, that is how the name Ogogo came to stay. It is my Oriki. It is my fathers Oriki. I always recite it.”
“Emi Omo Ogogo a ku lodo, Omo ku lomi lomi……People like to hear it. I used to say it when we are doing plays on stage.
Let’s tell you more about this Iconic man called Ogogo. He was born on October 31, 1959, Ogogo revealed that research once suggested people born on his birthday are destined for Success in the Entertainment industry. True, to this, he has enjoyed a successful career since he began producing his own work in 1993. Despite his achievements, Ogogo humbly stated that he does not compare himself to others. He also spoke fondly of the Senator representing Ogun West, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola popularly referred to as Yayi, his long-time friend, with whom he shares a close relationship. He praised Yayi’s work in the community.
Ogogo’s journey in the Theatre industry began in 1974, although it wasn’t until 1981 that he began performing under the guidance of Awo Ademola Fabunmi, an Ifa priest. His passion for acting remains undiminished. And he proudly recalled starting as “Akide Oba” a person who eulogies a king.
He also shared how his house’s oriki, “Ogogo,” became his stage name and how his career took off, being one of the pioneers of modern video storytelling in Nigeria. Ogogo’s contributions to the industry have been recognized internationally, including an award presented to him at the House of Parliament in Canada.
However, he stressed that he is selective about the roles he takes, always striving to preserve Yoruba Culture through his performances.
A devout Muslim, Ogogo concluded the interview by affirming his commitment to sharing moral lessons in all his movies, a value that has helped him cope with the pressures of the theatre industry.
–Promise Babatunde
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