“I survived on pap for months!” – Ogogo breaks silence on strange illness

Veteran Nollywood Yoruba actor, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has opened up about a mysterious illness that left him physically and emotionally drained for seven years.

In an interview on Oyinmomo TV, the legendary actor revealed he couldn’t eat anything except pap (a light cornmeal porridge) for several months and had to pray while sitting due to his weakened state.

The illness, which he described as one of the most terrifying experiences of his life, lasted for seven years.

“For a good seven years, I prayed while sitting, and I couldn’t eat anything except pap. It was a terrible period of my life,” he recounted.

Ogogo revealed that during that time, he traveled from place to place seeking treatment and thanked both men and women who helped him through the ordeal. Despite his suffering, he noted that he never sold his property and only stayed away from movie sets occasionally.

“When I started collecting different kinds of treatments and going from place to place, I thanked both men and women. The only thing I couldn’t do then was go to locations often, and I never sold any properties.”

The actor also shared that at some point, he was so convinced he would not survive the illness that he threw away his Mecca teeth (a spiritual and symbolic item linked to a pilgrimage).

Ogogo’s revelation adds to the growing list of Nigerian entertainers who have recently opened up about serious health challenges.

Just this year, actor Don Richard also spoke publicly about his own health scare, which began after he quit smoking and drinking.

Similarly, in 2021, Joke Silva confirmed that her husband, veteran actor Olu Jacobs, is battling dementia.

In 2023, singer Solidstar’s family revealed his struggle with mental health and drug addiction.