Again, the Nollywood industry has just been thrown into mourning following the death of one of its veteran stars, Tawio Hassan, better known as Ogogo, who died after battling kidney cancer.
While the glitz and glamour of celebrity life often hide personal struggles, cancer continues to claim the lives of many talented Nigerian entertainers. The disease does not respect fame, wealth, or influence.
Asides from Ogogo, several Nigerian celebrities have lost their lives after a courageous battle with different forms of cancer.
Some celebrities who battled the deadly disease, but lost.
Taiwo Hassan
Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, passed away today, August 23rd, after a long battle with Kidney cancer. The actor’s death comes barely a week after Kira and Lima Taiwo, his daughters, took to social media to disclose that their father had been diagnosed with stage four cancer.
According to the late actor’s daughters, they had discovered the illness about three weeks earlier, after it affected his abdomen. She also said some hospitals had informed the family that they could no longer continue with chemotherapy.
The family further pleaded with medical professionals and hospitals with the expertise and facilities to come to their aid and treat the veteran actor.
Alex Ekubo
Popular Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo reportedly passed away following complications from kidney cancer. According to his family, the actor succumbed to “advanced metastatic kidney cancer” after what they described as a brief but courageous battle.
Ekubo was celebrated for his roles in numerous Nollywood productions and remained one of the industry’s most admired actors.
Aduke Gold
Popular gospel singer and minister Aduke Ajayi, widely known as Aduke Gold, died on Monday, August 12, 2024, while receiving treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.
Following her death, there were speculations that she died from complications related to fibroid surgery. However, her brother, Pastor Aderogbo, clarified that the singer had been battling cervical cancer.
“Whoever is saying what is not should just stop that; our daughter was ill; she had cervical cancer, she was taken to UCH Ibadan, and unfortunately, she died,” he said.
Ify Onwuemene
Veteran actress Ify Onwuemene, best known for her role in the sitcom Everyday People, died after battling endometrial cancer.
Her death was announced by actress Gloria Anozie-Young, who revealed that Onwuemene had undergone several chemotherapy sessions after doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 cancer.
According to Gloria, the actress had her womb removed but continued battling the ailment for years before her death.
Karibi Fubara
Nollywood actor Karibi Fubara died on December 15, 2021, after battling kidney cancer for over a year.
His sister, Aya Eneli, announced his death and described him as someone who “lived fully and with joy.”
Karibi gained recognition for his roles in movies and series such as Smart Money Woman, God Calling, Ratnik, and We Speak Dance. He married fashion entrepreneur Yolanda Okereke in 2019.
Sodia Daba
Nigerian broadcaster cum actor, Sadiq Daba, announced he was diagnosed with Leukemia and Prostate cancer. He died on March 3rd at Ayinke General Hospital, Ikeja.
Doris Chima
Nollywood actress, Doris Chima, died after a battle with cancer in August 2021. The news of her death was confirmed by the Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Lagos chapter, Emeka Rising Ibe.
Aisha Abimbola
Affectionately known as “Omoge Campus” following her breakout role, Aisha Abimbola was a shining light in the Yoruba movie industry. She could command the screen with ease.
Her death in May 2018 came as a shock to many, as she had been receiving treatment for breast cancer in Canada away from the prying eyes of the media at the age of 46.
Her passing served as a sobering reminder to many young women in Nigeria about the importance of early detection and the relentless nature of the disease.
