‘Some people are trying to profit from my father’s illness’ — Ogogo’s daughter alleges

Kira, daughter of veteran actor and screenwriter Taiwo “Ogogo” Hassan, has alleged that some people are exploiting her father’s stage four cancer diagnosis for financial gain.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Kira and her sister, Haleemah, revealed in videos that doctors diagnosed their father with cancer and appealed to Nigerians to help the family explore possible treatment options, including traditional medicine, after alleging that a hospital had declined to treat him.

The sisters, however, clarified that the family was not asking Nigerians for money. Their appeal prompted offers of assistance from members of the public, including recommendations of hospitals and traditionalist homes where Ogogo could receive treatment.

His colleagues later said his condition meant he could not be moved from the hospital where he was receiving care.

Financial exploit

Speaking during a TikTok live session on Saturday, an emotional Kira, who broke down in tears, alleged that some people were using her father’s illness to create unreasonable videos, while others were seeking to profit from the family’s difficult situation.

She said, “Some people are saying different things, and some are trying to make money from this entire situation. Please fear God. For any little thing, Nigerians want to make money; please, take it easy. Because we said we are not looking for financial assistance does not mean you should drain us.

“Some people will say they have solutions that will cost ₦1.5 million. Another says ₦800,000. Another says ₦5 million. Another says $11,000. Another says $15,000. Please fear God. What is happening? What a pity.”

“A good father”

Kira further said she did not know how she would cope if anything happened to her father.

She described Ogogo as a loving father who prayed for everyone and always made sure those around him were fine.

“I do not know how I will feel or see the world again if anything happens to my daddy. I am not here to ask for sympathy; this is how I feel.

“If anything happens to my daddy, I do not think I will ever be okay again. My daddy is a good father. He wants to pray for everybody and make sure they are all right.”

“Is he going?”

Kira also said videos circulating about her father’s health caught the attention of her “big daddy”, who asked whether Ogogo was going to die.

She said the bond between her father and her “big daddy” was so strong that the children sometimes wondered whether the two men loved each other more than they loved their children.

Kira noted, “To those who made the video my big daddy saw, I leave you to God. After the video, he came into the group created to discuss my daddy’s health. I saw my cousin write something, and my big daddy was asking them whether Taiwo was already going. We, the children, do not know who my daddy and big daddy love more, themselves or us.

“My big daddy loves my daddy far too much to be asking whether Taiwo was already going. That question said everything. When everyone was calling me yesterday, I did not want to pick up or come on social media because I could not bring myself to look at my daddy’s picture. When I saw the message on the group chat, I simply left and turned off my Wi-Fi. That statement from my big daddy is a lot. I know he is not okay.”

Backstory

This newspaper earlier reported that Ogogo’s colleagues held a prayer session for him, seeking God’s intervention and recovery from cancer.

READ ALSO: Nigerian actors gather in prayer for Ogogo as he battles stage four cancer

They prayed for healing to reach the actor wherever he was receiving treatment and asked God to restore his health.

The prayer session followed a show of support from Ogogo’s colleagues after his daughters disclosed that he was battling stage-four cancer and could not travel abroad to seek treatment.

His daughters also expressed fears of losing their father, saying they were desperate to secure appropriate treatment for him as quickly as possible.

They added that Ogogo had repeatedly expressed his desire to live.