THROWBACK: How Ogogo, Ireti navigated 90s Nollywood stardom

Veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, and late actress Rebecca Adebimpe Adekola, popularly known as Ireti, were among the notable faces of Yoruba-language home videos in the 1990s, with the pair frequently playing lovers on screen.

Their on-screen chemistry made them a popular screen couple and fuelled speculation among fans that they were romantically involved. However, Ogogo later dismissed the speculation, describing their relationship as strictly professional.

Ireti was one of the sought-after younger actresses who contributed to the popularity of Yoruba-language home videos in the 1990s.

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, she was known for her versatility and ability to portray different characters, ranging from cultural roles to romantic ones.

She became known as Ireti in 1993 after playing the character of the same name in Asiri Nla, a film by veteran actor Jide Kosoko. The name subsequently stuck, with many fans knowing her by her screen name rather than Adebimpe Adekola.

Ireti was trained by the Odunfa Caucus, one of the longstanding theatre groups in the Yoruba film industry. The group was founded in 1986 by veteran actors Yinka Quadri, Ogogo and Razak Ajao, popularly known as Araosan, alongside filmmaker Abbey Lanre.

Other actors associated with the Odunfa Caucus include Saheed Balogun, Faithia Balogun, Yomi Fabiyi, Sanni Alli, Funke Akindele, Aina Gold, Iyabo Ojo, Kemi Afolabi and Yomi Gold.

Her association with the group contributed to her frequent appearances alongside Ogogo. The pair often played couples in films, leading to speculation that they were romantically involved and could eventually marry.

The speculation reportedly continued even after Ogogo married in 1994, with some people believing that he was having an affair with Ireti.

However, Ogogo later explained that there was no romantic relationship between them.

In an interview cited by Yes Ng in 2017, Ogogo described Ireti as someone he had nurtured professionally and explained why they frequently appeared together.

“She was my girl, my sister, my baby. Let me put it that way. She was my baby, I nurtured her and she cannot be in this group and we have a part she can perfectly play in a production and begin to look for someone from another group. Forget that we got fixed up in others and mostly played couples. Ours was not the first. It is done abroad.”

Addressing speculation that they would eventually marry, he said, “Though some people made that mistake about Ireti and I; that we will get married. But we had nothing like that in mind. We both knew why we were in industry. I am happily married and she was a very serious-minded person. So, there was nothing between us except a business relationship.”

Ireti’s death

Ireti died in September 2002 at a Lagos hospital after a brief illness. Her death shocked her colleagues, fans and others in the Nigerian film industry.

Her death was particularly felt within the Odunfa Caucus, where she had been trained and had featured in productions associated with the group.

She appeared in several films, including Ike Owo, Agba Akin, 23/24 Loro Ile Aye, Edunjobi and Sikira Ereko, among others.

Ireti left behind her son, Tomiwa Adekola, who was only a few months old at the time.

Ogogo’s death

Nearly 24 years after Ireti’s death, Ogogo also died, bringing back memories of the pair’s place in the history of Yoruba Nollywood.

Ogogo died at the age of 66 on Sunday, August 23, 2026. His death was announced by fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko.

Following his death, his remains were taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State, where he was buried according to Islamic rites.

Several colleagues, friends and associates from the entertainment industry attended his burial, including Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Femi Adebayo, Faithia Williams, Dele Odule and Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.

The actor’s death prompted tributes from colleagues and fans, with many recalling his contribution to the growth of Yoruba-language cinema.

Ogogo began his acting career in the early 1980s and became one of the prominent figures in Yoruba Nollywood, working as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

His death has revived memories of some of his memorable screen partnerships, including his long-running professional association with Ireti, who died more than two decades before him.

Although their relationship remained professional off screen, their frequent portrayal of lovers made Ogogo and Ireti one of the memorable screen pairings of the 1990s Yoruba film era.