Entertainment

FLASHBLACK: How I Got My Stage Name ‘Ogogo’ — Taiwo Hassan

Published

4 weeks ago

August 26, 2026

Veteran Nollywood actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, once revealed how he got the stage name that became part of his identity in the Yoruba film industry.

Hassan, who died on Sunday at the age of 66, explained in a 2024 interview with City People how the name “Ogogo” came from his family’s Oriki, a traditional Yoruba praise name.

In the interview published by City People on November 9, 2024, Hassan said he started his acting career playing the role of an Akede Oba, a praise chanter who recites the Oriki of kings and chiefs.

He said his ability to recite the praise poetry earned him the nickname “Olohun Iyo” before his colleagues later adopted “Ogogo” from his family Oriki.

“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 (eulogy). I was always reciting the Oriki of Kings, Chiefs. I did it so well that people called me Olohun Iyo then,” he said.

Hassan explained that when home videos became popular, he would praise other people and himself during performances, often using lines from his family Oriki.

“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,” he said.

He added that the praise name became popular among his colleagues and eventually became his professional identity.

“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,” he added.

Hassan began his acting career in 1981 and became one of the known faces in Yoruba-language cinema.

His career lasted more than four decades, during which he worked as an actor, producer, director and screenwriter.

He was also one of the co-founders of the Odunfa Caucus, a theatre group that produced several Yoruba actors.

Hassan died at 3pm on Sunday, August 23, 2026, according to a burial announcement by veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

His daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, had earlier disclosed that he was battling stage-four cancer and appealed for medical assistance as his condition worsened.

Hassan was buried in Ilaro, Ogun State, on Monday according to Islamic rites.
(TRIBUNE)

Entertainment

Why I Linked Isbae U With Obasanjo — Charly Boy

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Veteran entertainer and activist, Charly Boy, has explained why he helped connect former President Olusegun Obasanjo with Nigerian comedian and content creator, Isbae U, for his popular YouTube programme, Curiosity Made Me Ask.

Charly Boy, in a post on X on Monday, said he facilitated the meeting because he believed in creating opportunities for young Nigerians and encouraging older generations to engage with their ideas and platforms.

According to him, Obasanjo’s appearance on the programme demonstrated what could happen when experienced older Nigerians were willing to step into the world of younger people.

“Sometimes, the greatest thing you fit give a young person no be money. Na opportunity. Look at wetin happen when Baba entered Bae U’s world,” he wrote.

Charly Boy noted that Obasanjo, despite his age and experience, embraced the unconventional format of the programme and matched Isbae U’s energy.

“A man of his age and experience sat down with a young man whose style dey completely different from wetin he is used to. Baba no just sit there looking serious. He matched the energy, played along and showed Nigerians another side of himself,” he said.

Explaining his role in bringing the two together, Charly Boy said he had enough confidence in the young people behind the programme to introduce them to the former president.

“And who helped make that connection happen? CharlyBoy. Fada believed in the young people behind that show enough to pull Baba into their space,” he said.

Obasanjo’s appearance on Curiosity Made Me Ask attracted widespread attention after the former president joined in the programme’s trademark humour and banter with Isbae U.

The host jokingly introduced Obasanjo as his former employee, claiming that he had paid his salary, provided his food and paid his rent at Aso Rock between 1999 and 2007.

Obasanjo played along with the joke while also responding to questions about contemporary Nigerian pop culture, including whether he knew music producer, Don Jazzy; dancer, Poco Lee; and content creator, Carter Efe.

The former president said he did not know them, prompting further banter from the host.

Reflecting on the wider significance of the interview, Charly Boy urged older Nigerians to do more than encourage young people to succeed, saying they should also create opportunities for them.

“To the older generation: don’t only tell young people to succeed. Give them room. Open doors. Recommend them. Trust them with opportunities,” he wrote.

He also urged young Nigerians to prepare themselves to take advantage of opportunities when they come.

“To the younger generation: don’t wait for somebody to hand you a future. Build something worth believing in. When opportunity comes, be ready,” he said.

Charly Boy called for greater collaboration between generations, saying such partnerships could create opportunities for both the young and old.

“When generations support each other, everybody gets to grow. Na so legacy suppose work,” he wrote.

Entertainment

ORB Entertainment Launches Music Distribution Platform For African Artists

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

ORB Entertainment has officially launched its digital music distribution platform to help independent African artists release music globally, manage their careers and retain control of their earnings.

Founded by Oluwaseun Ridwan Bamiro and headquartered in Lagos, ORB Entertainment provides artists with access to Spotify, Apple Music, Boomplay, TikTok and more than 150 other supported digital music platforms.

The company said the platform was developed to address some of the barriers faced by independent African musicians, including limited access to professional distribution infrastructure, high entry costs and difficulty managing releases across several services.

Artists can create an account and begin with ORB’s free plan. The platform also offers paid plans with additional tools for artists who require broader release and career-management support. ORB charges no commission on artists’ royalties, allowing musicians on every plan to retain 100 per cent of the royalties received for their music.

“Our goal is to give independent African artists access to the infrastructure they need to build sustainable global careers,” Bamiro said. “Talented musicians should not need to sign away ownership or depend on a traditional record label before they can distribute their work professionally.”

ORB’s release system enables artists to upload their recordings, submit metadata, manage artwork and select supported digital stores through one platform. The company reviews submitted releases within 24 hours, although the final processing and publication schedule remains subject to the requirements of each streaming service.

ORB’s growing catalogue includes “Sure Thing” by M26ix, with additional projects from the artist expected following the platform’s official launch. The company said its work with emerging artists demonstrates how independent African musicians can use accessible distribution infrastructure to reach wider audiences.

Beyond distribution, ORB provides tools designed to assist artists with release preparation, promotional content, audience development and copyright protection. The company said these services are intended to make professional music infrastructure more accessible to emerging creators.

The launch comes as African music continues to attract international listeners and investment. However, many independent musicians still face challenges accessing the technology, industry knowledge and operational support needed to convert that attention into sustainable careers.

ORB Entertainment plans to expand its presence across more African markets while developing additional services for independent artists, labels and music professionals.

“Our vision is to build an ecosystem in which African artists can release music, reach audiences and grow their businesses without losing control of their work,” Bamiro added.

The company said artists can begin on its free plan, making its distribution infrastructure accessible to emerging musicians who may not yet have the resources available to established acts.

Entertainment

Why Funke Akindele Was Not At My Movie Premiere – Kamo State

Published

2 days ago

September 21, 2026

Editor

Popular skit maker and actor, Akinyoola Ayoola, better known as Kamo State, has explained why Nollywood actress Funke Akindele was absent from the premiere of his debut cinema film, Star Lomo.

Kamo State said Akindele could not attend the premiere because she was out of the country, dismissing speculation that her absence was connected to a disagreement between them.

The clarification came after Akindele’s absence from Sunday’s premiere in Lagos sparked reactions on social media, with some users questioning whether the actress and Kamo were still on good terms.

In a statement shared on X on Monday, Kamo said, “I woke up to see different opinions online about Iyamii and myself. Please, we’re on good terms.”

He explained that Akindele had discussed the premiere with him but was unable to attend because she was outside the country.

He said, “She missed my premiere simply because she wasn’t in the country and nothing more to it, so please don’t assume otherwise.”

Kamo added that Akindele had promised to support the film and urged people to stop speculating about their personal relationship.

Kamo added, “We’ve spoken about it, and she’s going to support this film. I’d appreciate it if our personal relationship isn’t speculated on. Let’s keep our focus on the film.”

Kamo’s relationship with Akindele became more prominent during the production and promotion of Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024, after which he became closely associated with the actress.

He frequently appeared in content shared by Akindele on Snapchat, while the actress also hosted him and his wife and publicly supported some of his projects.

Through his association with Akindele, Kamo featured in projects including Aiyetoro Town Season 2, Behind The Scenes and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

The pair were also seen together at several events, with Akindele regularly showing support for Kamo.