The final burial rites of legendary Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs have commenced in Lagos, with Nollywood stars, family members and dignitaries gathering to celebrate the life and legacy of the stage, television and film icon.
Channels Tv reports that the evening featured solemn hymns, musical performances, heartfelt tributes and humorous recollections of Jacobs, fondly remembered as the “Lion of Lufodo.”
At the centre of the gathering was his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, who appeared in grey lace alongside their sons, Gbenga and Soji, both dressed in traditional white agbada.
The gathering attracted prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry and government, including Sola Sobowale, Ahmed Yerima, Norbert Young, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokubo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Desmond Elliot and the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.
Opening the tributes, Jacobs’ son, Soji, offered personal reflections on growing up with a father whose public profile was enormous but whose priority remained his family.
Soji said Jacobs was simply “Dad” to him and described their relationship as close, noting that his father fiercely protected the family’s privacy despite his fame.
“He always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely,” he said.
Colleagues who worked with Jacobs across several decades of Nigerian theatre, television and film also shared memories of his professionalism, mentorship and generosity.
Actor Norbert Young recalled their time together on the popular 1980s detective television series, Third Eye, describing Jacobs as a disciplined professional whose guidance contributed to his development as an actor.
“I became the actor I am today from listening to him at least once a week during the time we shot ‘Third Eye,’” Young said.
Playwright and scholar Ahmed Yerima brought humour to the occasion as he recalled an incident during a stage performance in which Jacobs’ emotional portrayal unexpectedly moved him to tears.
Yerima said the experience demonstrated the intensity and commitment Jacobs brought to his craft.
Actresses Hilda Dokubo and Kate Henshaw also paid tribute to Jacobs’ caring nature behind the scenes.
Dokubo recalled being nervous when she first worked with Jacobs and Joke Silva, saying Jacobs helped her overcome her apprehension by encouraging her to read with him.
Henshaw, meanwhile, remembered Jacobs for his thoughtfulness and preparedness on set, particularly his habit of bringing food and refreshments for colleagues during long shooting days.
For many actors, Jacobs was not only a colleague but also a mentor whose recognition carried significant weight in the industry.
Sola Sobowale recalled how Jacobs’ early praise for her acting gave her a major confidence boost.
She said Jacobs once told others that she was “a great actor”, describing the moment as one that changed her outlook on her career.
Richard Mofe-Damijo also expressed gratitude for Jacobs’ mentorship, recalling a lesson the veteran actor taught him about the importance of respecting every role and line in a production.
“There are no small actors, and there are no small lines,” Mofe-Damijo quoted Jacobs as saying, adding that the lesson had remained with him throughout his career.
The evening also featured a soulful performance by singer Yinka Davies, who delivered a piano-assisted medley to the appreciation of the audience.
The tributes underscored Jacobs’ enduring influence on generations of Nigerian actors and his contribution to the growth of theatre, television and film in Nigeria and beyond.
