Yayi pledges Ogogo memorial, reveals tourism adviser plan for late actor

Yayi, whose full name is Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, represents the All Progressives Congress as its gubernatorial contender in Ogun State. Should he triumph in the 2027 election, he committed to creating a lasting memorial honouring the late Nollywood veteran Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

During his Tuesday visit to offer condolences at the family residence in Ilaro, Adeola laid out concrete arrangements for celebrating the performer's contributions and legacy. Central to these arrangements was Adeola's revelation that he had reserved a specific cabinet role for Ogogo before the actor passed away.

Had Ogogo lived to see Adeola's electoral triumph, the senator explained, the thespian would have been named to serve as Special Adviser on Tourism and Culture. Characterizing Ogogo as his elder brother, Adeola recognised the late performer's tremendous influence across entertainment, the preservation of Yoruba traditions, and broader cultural advancement throughout Nigeria internationally and domestically.

Adeola, who arrived back in Nigeria on Monday after spending time outside the country, expressed profound grief over Ogogo's passing. He referred to the late performer as embodying cultural ambassadorial values, and characterised his death as a loss extending beyond his loved ones and Ogun State itself—affecting Nigeria's entire tapestry of cultural achievement.

Through these statements, the senator underscored how Ogogo transcended mere entertainment work, wielding influence over cultural matters and state-level political representation. The condolence gathering on Tuesday and the policy proposals that followed reveal a strategy for acknowledging prominent figures in Ogun's cultural sphere ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial race.

By articulating which cabinet post Ogogo would have occupied, Adeola signalled his future government's intention to integrate entertainment and cultural sectors meaningfully into state governance and policy initiatives.