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Olu Jacobs’ Sons Share Intimate Portrait Of Late Actor At Night Of Tribute
Olu Jacobs’ Sons Share Intimate Portrait Of Late Actor At Night Of Tribute
The towering legacy of veteran actor Olu Jacobs came alive on Wednesday, September 30, as family, friends and colleagues gathered at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, for a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs in honour of the late thespian. Jacobs, who died on September 16 at the age of 84, was remembered not only for his remarkable career across theatre, television and film, but also for the warmth, mentorship and generosity that characterised his relationships with colleagues and family.
It was a night of colour, glamour and memory. It was a night of music. Most importantly, it was a night to remember. At the heart of the gathering was his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, who looked, gracious, elegant and magnificent in grey lace, flanked by their sons, Gbenga and Soji, who both looked respledent in traditional white agbada.
Joke Silva
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Gbenga and Soji gave deeply personal tributes as they offered intimate glimpses into the man behind the public persona. Gbenga described his father as an internationally acclaimed thespian and “a giant of the entertainment industry”, but said that to him he was simply “Dad”. Recalling how his father called him “Baba”, he said the name became a special bond between them and reflected Jacobs’ determination to instil confidence and a strong sense of identity in his children.
He remembered his father as a man who made time to dance, laugh and make people smile, despite carrying his own burdens. Gbenga also recalled his father’s philosophy that there was a time to work and a time to play, saying that Jacobs embraced both work and life. He ended by asking his father to rest, describing him as “my papa, my twin and the lion of Lufodo.”
Soji, meanwhile, remembered a father who was “magnetic” and genuine, and whose influence extended far beyond the stage and screen. He recalled telling his aunts as a child that his father was a giant, long before he understood why the wider world also regarded him as one.According to Soji, Jacobs loved hosting people and used stories to teach him about Nigeria, the creative industry and the realities of working within it. But perhaps his most enduring lesson was his insistence on protecting his family’s privacy. Soji said his father ensured that he and his brother were never forced into interviews or photographs and gave them the freedom to find their own paths. Ironically, Soji eventually found his way into the same industry, and said his father’s memory would continue through the work they do at Lufodo.
Gbenga, Soji and family
Soji shared intimate reflections on growing up in the shadow of a titan, emphasising that despite his father’s immense public persona, family always remained his top priority. “I didn’t really watch his films back then. For me, he was simply Dad. We were very close because he was magnetic and genuine in his movement,” he said.
“As much as the industry loved him and as possessive as they were of him, he always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely.”
Nollywood actors were not left out in this jamboree of tributes as they turned out in larg numbers to pay tribute to their departed colleague, mentor, father and inspiration. Sola Sobowale described Jacobs as a remarkable actor whose talent, kindness and humility made him a treasured figure in the industry. She said his ability to command attention on screen was matched by his warmth and generosity off screen.
For Sobowale, the evening was an opportunity to acknowledge the man who helped shape her craft. Calling him “Uncle Lumi”, Sobowale said she would inevitably repeat what others had said about Jacobs if she attempted to tell the full story of his influence. But she singled out one fact: behind the celebrated actress the public knows today was a performer trained and mentored by Olu Jacobs.
Sola Sobowale
“Somebody trained me,” she said, acknowledging Jacobs as the man who taught, mentored and groomed her. She described him as a pillar of strength and peace, a man of knowledge, wisdom and selflessness who had a way of calming her whenever she brought her troubles to him.
“Uncle Olu was a rare gift to Nigerian cinema, and we are blessed to have witnessed his greatness. He carried himself with dignity, humility and a level of professionalism that every actor should learn from. His legacy will continue to live through the stories he told and the generations he inspired,” she said.
Veteran actor Norbert Young took the audience back to the years when he and Jacobs worked closely on the television series The Third Eye. Young recalled that between 1990 and 1993, he encountered Jacobs at least once a week and used those moments to listen and learn from the more experienced actor.
“I’m here to praise Uncle Olu Jacobs, not to mourn him. I am not going to mourn Uncle Olu. It’s not possible. I am one of the most privileged people that Olu Jacobs stayed with most in this industry. I say this because between 1990 and 1993, I was with Olu at least twice, at least once, every week,” Young noted.
Keppy Ekpeyong
He remembered Jacobs as someone who loved to talk while he loved to listen, describing their time together as an invaluable period of learning. Young said Jacobs did not merely reach the summit of his profession but, in his colourful description, “romanced” it, “caressed” it and “tickled” it. He bade farewell to the “great warrior”, insisting that Jacobs would continue to live through those who carry his style and ideals forward.
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For Keppy Ekpeyong, Jacobs was the kind of mentor who had a remarkable ability to make everyone around him feel special. Ekpeyong, who described himself as one of Jacobs’ adopted sons, recalled an experience during the 2012 London Olympics when he was battling stage fright.
He said Jacobs sat him down and encouraged him before a performance, giving him the confidence to step onto the stage. After the performance, Jacobs physically lifted him in celebration, an endorsement Ekpeyong said transformed his confidence. He also recalled Jacobs’ commanding presence, saying that he was the kind of man who could walk into a room, own it and elevate the stature of his surroundings.
Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, described Jacobs as a father figure whose influence helped shape the careers of many actors, including himself.He said Jacobs’ decision to return to Nigeria and invest his talent in the local industry helped create opportunities for younger performers.
“Uncle Olu was more than a colleague; he was a father figure to many of us. His professionalism, discipline and commitment to excellence set a standard we continue to aspire to. His legacy is not just in the films he made, but in the people he inspired and the industry he helped build,” he said
RMD
RMD also paid tribute to Jacobs as a teacher whose lessons continued to shape his career. He recalled a story Jacobs told him about performing alongside major British actors and having only one line in a play. Jacobs had rehearsed the line repeatedly, but when the moment came, he forgot it. Another actor then delivered the same line to him, leaving Jacobs to walk off stage.For RMD, the story contained a lifelong lesson: there are no small actors and no small lines, but neglecting even a small line can make an actor small. RMD said Jacobs taught him the importance of preparation, presence of mind and being fully present as an actor. “I have refused since I met him to be a small actor,” he declared.
Segun Arinze described Jacobs as one of the defining figures of Nigerian acting, noting that his career provided a benchmark for aspiring performers.He said the late actor’s contributions extended beyond his memorable performances to the standards he established for the profession.
“He was one of the people who showed us what it truly means to be an actor. His dedication to his craft and his ability to bring every character to life were exceptional. Olu Jacobs may have taken his final bow, but his influence on Nigerian entertainment will never fade,” he said.
Eugenia Abu and Segun Arinze
Playwright and scholar Ahmed Yerima brought warmth and laughter to the solemn occasion, sharing a lighthearted anecdote about the intensity Jacobs brought to every role.
“The only time I forgot the lines in my own play was when Uncle Olu and I were playing a scene, and he started crying. I was like, ‘I never remembered writing tears into this scene.’ But he made that moment unforgettable,” the professor said.
Actresses Hilda Dokubo and Kate Henshaw focused their tributes on Jacobs’ paternal nature behind the scenes, recounting the quiet ways he cared for cast and crew members on set.Dokubo remembered being starstruck when she first found herself working alongside Jacobs and Silva.
“I was mopping and not looking. He later touched me and I thought I would jump out of my skin, but he calmed me down and said, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be OK. Read with me.’ That was how I finally got comfortable,” she told the gathering.
Henshaw recalled his legendarily thoughtful preparation and generosity during long shooting days. “Uncle Olu always came prepared with snacks and coffee. Once, when we were almost stranded on a remote set, Uncle Olu just said, ‘Never mind.’ He brought out his leather bag, and inside were mixed vegetables, sausages, and everything we needed,” she added.
Fred Amata described Jacobs as an exceptional actor whose professionalism and dedication to the craft inspired generations. “Uncle Olu was a master of his craft and he brought dignity and excellence to acting. His legacy will continue to inspire us,” he said.
The different tributes converged on one striking portrait: Olu Jacobs was a towering figure who sacrificed so.much to build Nollywood and never needed to diminish others to establish his own stature. The Night of Tributes therefore became less a farewell to a departed actor than a gathering of generations whose lives and careers had, in different ways, been touched by the Lion of Lufodo.
Night of Tributes,Nollywood,Olu Jacobs
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