By Folorunsho Hamsat
The death of any actor or filmmaker is sad, but in Nollywood, especially Yoruba Nollywood, it always follows a painful pattern.
In ‘Yoruwood’, when a big star falls ill, everyone moves fast. Industry leaders call meetings, millions of Naira are raised in hours, and social media is filled with prayers. But when a lesser-known actor or crew member gets sick, there is usually total silence.
This unfair treatment makes us ask a painful question: Why does the Nigerian movie industry care more about fame than human life?
This issue became urgent after the tragic death of Yoruba actress, Temitope Osoba. She was not a stranger to the industry, having worked hard for nearly twenty years. Yet, her death was surrounded by controversy. Many people accused the industry of abandoning her on her sickbed and keeping quiet until she died. Tope was even luckier than most because a few loyal friends still tried to help her. Many others, including old veterans who started acting before Tope was even born, do not get any help at all.
This systematic failure becomes very clear when you compare how the industry treated Tope Osoba to how they treated the legendary veteran, Alhaji Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
When Ogogo was sick, the entire industry stood behind him. His colleagues used all their money, time, and connections to give him emotional support, prayer networks, and financial help. As Ogogo’s remains are ready for burial in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State today, that same deep commitment is still active, with top stars leading his burial arrangements. Of course, this is how a real community should take care of its people.
But when you look at Ogogo’s support alongside Osoba’s lonely battle and the arguments after her death, the difference is clearly heartbreaking. Why does one artiste get an army of help while another is left to suffer alone just because they are not in the same A-list star bracket?
Today, basic care in Nollywood has become a luxury only meant for the famous elite.
Right next to these big stars are the smaller actors, cameramen, and set designers. They spend decades working hard to build the industry. Sometimes, their hard work and contributions are even more than those of the famous faces we see on posters. Yet, when they get sick, they suffer in the dark. When they die, nobody cares. This looks like the “animal kingdom,” where only the strong are protected and the weak are left to die.
This selective kindness, in my view, happens for two reasons: social media views and fake sympathy. Today, showing sadness for a dead superstar brings internet traffic and praise, while helping an unknown figure wins no social media clout.
This behaviour proves that Nollywood lacks real empathy. Despite making global waves, the industry still acts like a chaotic market instead of a united family.
A person deserves dignity when sick and honour when dead because they are human, not because of their Instagram followers or box office success. If Nollywood keeps judging people’s worth by their fame, it will lose its soul.
As Taiwo Hassan Ogogo goes home today, I extend my deep condolences while appealing to Yoruba Nollywood to kindly institutionalise how it treats its sick and dead. The industry must stop relying on emergency online contributions. Instead, it must set up proper health insurance, welfare funds, and pensions that protect every single member.
Until Nollywood learns to care for a Tope Osoba with the same energy it uses for an Ogogo, its claim of being a united family will remain a hypocritical lie.
-Folorunsho Hamsat is a Lagos based journalist. He can be reached via 08051000485
