Olu Jacobs laid to rest in Lagos

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs have been laid to rest in Lagos State following a funeral service attended by relatives, friends, colleagues and prominent figures.

Jacobs, who died aged 84 on 16 September, was buried after a funeral ceremony held in Lekki, Lagos.

The service came a day after members of the entertainment industry and other well-wishers gathered for a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs in his memory.

Among those who attended the funeral were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, Oluremi Hamzat; Lagos First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

Jacobs’ widow, actress Joke Silva, attended the ceremony with their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs. The family members were dressed in blue.

Mr Hamzat, who joined other government officials at the funeral, described the late actor as an icon of the entertainment industry in a statement posted on his X page.

“I joined family, friends and loved ones at This Present House on Freedom Way to say a final farewell to a true icon of the entertainment industry, Uncle Olu Jacobs. We gathered to honour his life and the memories he leaves behind.

“My thoughts and prayers remain with his family and loved ones as they mourn this great loss. May God grant him eternal rest and give his family the strength to carry on.”

Nigerian singer-songwriter Dare Art Alade delivered a performance of his hit song “Pray for Me” during the funeral service. Actors at the ceremony include Shaffy Bello, Keppy Ekpeyong, Stan Nze, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Ireti Doyle, Lala Akindoju, Kate Henshaw, OC Ukeje, Patrick Doyle, Stephanie Okereke, Ernest Obi, among others.

Olu Jacobs

Jacobs, fondly called the “Lion of Lufodo”, had a career spanning more than five decades in theatre, television and film.

The veteran actor trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before beginning his career in British theatre and television. He later returned to Nigeria, where he established himself as one of the most respected and recognisable figures in the country’s film industry.

Jacobs appeared in several British theatre and television productions, as well as international films, before becoming a prominent figure in Nollywood.

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After returning to Nigeria, he became a major force in the development of the Nigerian film industry. He was particularly known for playing authoritative characters, including traditional rulers, chiefs and family patriarchs.

In 1989, Jacobs married actor Silva. Together, they founded the Lufodo Group and later established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.