Both actors belong to almost the same generation of actors who grew their careers from stage to television and are respected veterans in the industry
Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has paid an emotional tribute to his late colleague, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, describing him as a peaceful and humorous man who “fought like a man and like a soldier” until his death.
Jacobs’ death was announced by his family through his son, Olusoji Jacobs, who described him as “The Lion of Lufodo” and appealed to the public to respect the family’s privacy.
Mr Jacobs, who died on September 16 at the age of 84, will be remembered at the Night of Tributes on Wednesday, September 30, at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island.
In his tribute, Mr Edochie, another veteran of Nigerian theatre and film, reflected on mortality and the inevitability of death.
Speaking partly in Hausa, he said, “Something must kill a man,” before stressing that death ultimately comes according to God’s will.
“Olú J, son of Kano,” he said. “Nobody can do it except God. If God says that the amount of time allocated to you on earth has finished, you cannot do anything about it but leave.”
Mr Edochie described Jacobs as a brother and colleague who remained strong through his final years.
“Olu, my brother, you fought like a man and like a soldier, I have always known you to be. Rest in peace, my brother,” he said.
He also expressed sympathy for Jacobs’ widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, acknowledging the years she spent caring for her husband.
“Joke, I commiserate with you for what you have endured over a period of six years,” he said, describing Jacobs as “a humorous personality” and “a very peaceful colleague.”
The reference to six years comes against the background of the health challenges Jacobs faced in his later years. Mrs Silva had publicly spoken about her husband’s health in 2021, while the family repeatedly pushed back against false reports of his death before his eventual passing in September 2026.
Mr Edochie said Jacobs maintained a private side of his life that was known only to a small circle of people, including himself and Mrs Silva.
“Olu created a life that was known perhaps to only himself, and Joke and I,” he said.
Addressing Mrs Silva directly, he added: “You did your best. And while we must mourn that he has gone, we should also be glad and celebrate his life.”
Mr Jacobs and Silva were married in 1989 and later became business partners through the Lufodo Group. They also established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, extending their work beyond acting into film production, distribution and training.
Reflecting on Mr Jacobs’ longevity, Mr Edochie noted that the actor lived beyond the traditional biblical reference to a lifespan of 70 years.
“Of all our senior colleagues who have gone, Olu was the only person who got upbeat to 80 and beyond,” he said.
“The Good Book allowed us 70 years, but Olu added 14 years on top of that. Unfortunately, the past six years were not what we projected or expected in any way.”
Mr Jacobs was born on 11 July 1942 and died on 16 September 2026, aged 84. Born in Kano to parents of Egba-Alake heritage from Abeokuta, Ogun State, he later travelled to Britain, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
His career included work with the BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company and other British and international institutions before he returned to Nigeria and became one of the defining figures of the country’s acting industry.
Mr Edochie also expressed the hope that one of Jacobs’ children would take up acting, saying this could provide a lasting reminder of the veteran actor’s contribution to the profession.
“My warmest prayer is that one of Olu’s children takes to acting, so that whenever we look at him, we remember what Olu meant to all of us,” he said.
Jacobs’ career earned him several honours, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.
Concluding his tribute, Mr Edochie offered words of encouragement to Mrs Silva and reflected on the possibility of reunion after death.
“Joke, I want you to remember Olu’s words: your problems are firmly behind you. Take heart,” he said.
Turning again to his late friend, he added: “Olu, well, if it is true that people recognise one another after they are gone, there is a possibility that we would meet again.”
Jacobs’ family has scheduled a Night of Tributes for 30 September at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island, ahead of his funeral service on 2 October at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
His death brought to an end a career that crossed British theatre and television and Nigeria’s evolving film industry, while his partnership with Silva also extended into production, distribution and the training of a new generation of performers.
