Throwback: Ogogo’s ‘I would vomit blood’ account resurfaces after death

File: Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

A throwback interview in which veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, recounted his seven-year battle with illness has resurfaced online following his death on Sunday at the age of 66.

In the interview released by Oyinmomo TV on July 4, 2025, the actor spoke about the severity of his illness, revealing that he once vomited blood and spent months praying while sitting because of the pain.

Recalling his experience at King Solomon Hospital, where he underwent a scan, Ogogo said doctors discovered that the ulcer had caused significant damage.

He said, “I spent six, seven years battling this illness, ulcer. I would vomit blood. For seven months I prayed while sitting.”

The veteran actor also recalled how his attempt to treat malaria with a local remedy worsened his condition after he had already developed an ulcer.

According to him, he had told the doctor that whenever he had malaria, he would take Alabukun and lime, prompting the doctor to warn him about the consequences.

“I told the doctor, ‘If I had malaria, I’d take Alabukun and lime.’ He shouted, ‘You have implicated yourself. You have an ulcer and the remedy you used for malaria caused this,’” Ogogo recounted.

The actor further revealed the extent to which the illness affected his ability to eat, saying he could barely keep food down.

“I even took a teaspoonful of rice; I would vomit everything before it settled. For seven years, I survived only on cornmeal,” he said.

Ogogo said he eventually combined spiritual and medical treatment in his battle to recover.

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“Eventually, I started treatment both spiritually and medically,” he said, adding that he remained grateful for his survival.

“God is the one who does things perfectly—the God of every season. I appreciate Him deeply,” the actor said.

The resurfaced interview has attracted renewed attention following the death of the veteran actor on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

Ogogo’s death was confirmed by multiple sources, including the founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, who announced on social media, “Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is dead. He finally lost the battle of life.”

His daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, had days before his death appealed for medical assistance for their father, who was battling stage-four cancer.

Kaira had said doctors informed the family that they could no longer administer chemotherapy because of his condition, prompting the family to seek other treatment options.

Hassan, who died at 3 pm on Sunday at the age of 66, is expected to be buried in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday.

According to a burial announcement by veteran actor Jide Kosoko, the actor’s remains will be taken to Ilaro, where a lying-in-state ceremony will be held at 11 am on Monday at the Pavilion, Ilaro.

Ogogo was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly known for his contributions to Yoruba-language films.