The daughter of veteran Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, Kira Taiwo, has accused some individuals of attempting to profit from the family’s distress as the actor battles stage four cancer.
Kira made the allegation during an emotional TikTok live session on Saturday, where she broke down while speaking about her father’s deteriorating health and the financial pressure allegedly associated with offers of assistance.
According to her, some individuals had approached the family with varying financial demands, claiming they could provide solutions to the actor’s condition.
She said, “My father is a good father. Some people are even trying to make money with us in this whole situation. Fear God.
This one will come and bring solution, N800,000, N5m, $11,000, $18,000. Do you want to make us broke? We are not billionaires.”
Kira explained that the family’s immediate concern was securing effective medical treatment for the actor rather than meeting financial demands from people claiming to have solutions.
She also disclosed that the ordeal had affected her own health and emotional wellbeing.
“I want to check my BP, I am not okay too,” she said.
The actor’s daughter further revealed that her father’s illness had taken an emotional toll on his brother, whom she affectionately referred to as her “big daddy.”
She said the family had been discussing Ogogo’s condition in a group chat when she came across a message indicating that her uncle was deeply worried about his brother’s survival.
Kira said the bond between the two brothers was exceptionally strong, adding that the family was struggling to cope with the possibility of losing the actor.
She said, “My big daddy and my daddy, we are the children, we don’t even know who they love more. We don’t even know if it is we who are being or themselves. It is too much. My big daddy loves my daddy too much.”
She added that she was concerned about her uncle’s emotional state, saying she believed he was also struggling with the situation.
Kira said she had withdrawn from social media because seeing photographs and videos of her father had become emotionally overwhelming.
She explained that she initially went online to distract herself but eventually became emotional because of the depth of her relationship with her father.
“I am so connected to my daddy. Nothing can be okay, ever. He just wants the best for everybody. He just wants everybody to be okay,” she said.
The development followed recent emotional appeals by Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, for assistance to save their father.
The sisters, in separate social media videos, disclosed that Ogogo was battling stage four cancer and appealed to Nigerians, medical professionals and well-wishers with access to cancer treatment to come to the actor’s aid.
Lima said the actor’s condition had deteriorated to the point where some hospitals were no longer willing to continue his treatment.
According to her, the family only became aware of the severity of the illness about three weeks earlier because the actor had not initially shown obvious signs of being seriously ill.
She stressed that the family was seeking medical assistance rather than financial donations.
“Please, I’m begging you. 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. Nobody’s here to ask for money,” Lima said.
She, however, acknowledged the support of a relative who had stood by the family during the difficult period.
“My big uncle has helped a lot. He has been of great help. Like, nobody even knew that he would show up for us this way,” she said.
Kira also disclosed that hospitals had reportedly informed the family that they could no longer continue chemotherapy for the actor.
She expressed appreciation to Senator Yayi, whom she said had been assisting the family and paying some of the actor’s medical bills.
Kira subsequently appealed to medical practitioners and anyone with access to cancer treatment to help save her father.
She said the family was willing to explore available treatment options and urged anyone who could provide credible medical assistance to contact her or her sister.
The emotional appeal became more intense as Kira described the pain her father was experiencing, saying she had never seen him in such a condition.
She also revealed that the actor had expressed fear of dying, prompting her to plead for urgent assistance.
Ogogo, 66, is one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning more than four decades.
The veteran actor has reportedly featured in more than 300 films and remains a respected figure in Nigeria’s film industry.