Joke Silva has finally broken her public silence after the death of her husband, legendary actor Olu Jacobs, as Nollywood stars packed Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos to celebrate the man known as the Lion of Lufodo.
The Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held on Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026, at the historic hall on Marina Road, Lagos Island. Family, colleagues and government figures filled the venue. Joke Silva sat at the centre of the gathering in grey lace, flanked by their sons Gbenga and Soji in traditional white agbada. Among those present were Richard Mofe-Damijo, Funke Akindele, Sola Sobowale, Shaffy Bello, Desmond Elliot, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Kate Henshaw, Emeka Ike, IK Ogbonna and the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Jacobs died on September 16 at the age of 84. His son Olusoji had announced the news with quiet dignity on behalf of the family.
Two weeks later, Joke Silva shared a quiet throwback photograph of herself with her late husband. She added only a white heart and praying hands. Colleagues flooded the post with messages of love and support from Adesua Etomi, Nancy Isime, Toolz, Ken Erics, Osas Ighodalo, Juliet Ibrahim, Monalisa Chinda and many others.
At the tributes, son Soji spoke of the private man behind the public giant.
“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. 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.”
Sola Sobowale stood before the gathering and gave one of the night’s most direct tributes.
“When people see Sola Sobowale, they say she is a fantastic actor, but somebody trained me and Baba Olu Jacobs was that person who trained me.”
Richard Mofe-Damijo recalled a lifelong lesson from the late actor. He said Jacobs once told him there are no small actors and no small lines, but if you are not mindful of the small lines, you will become a small actor. That lesson, he said, has lived with him all his life.
Kate Henshaw remembered his quiet generosity on set. She said Uncle Olu always came prepared with snacks and coffee, and once, when the cast was almost stranded on a remote location, he simply brought out a leather bag filled with everything they needed.
The couple married in 1985 when Joke was 24 and Jacobs was in his early forties. They built the Lufodo Group and Academy together and became one of Nollywood’s most enduring partnerships. In 2021 Joke first spoke openly about his battle with dementia with Lewy bodies and stood by him through the difficult years that followed.
The funeral service is scheduled for Friday, October 2, at 10 a.m. at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. Guests have been asked to wear shades of green. The industry that once watched him command every set now gathers to say a final thank you to the man who helped build it.