Family, friends, colleagues and dignitaries have gathered in Lagos for the funeral service of veteran actor Olu Jacobs, who died last month at 84.
The funeral service is being held in Lekki on Friday, with Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; and former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, among the dignitaries in attendance.
Jacobs, whose death was announced by his family on September 16, built a career spanning more than five decades across British theatre and television, international film and Nigeria’s emerging film industry.
Born on July 11, 1942, in Kano, the actor trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before appearing in several British television productions and international films. He later became one of the most recognisable faces of Nollywood, particularly known for playing traditional rulers, patriarchs and other authoritative characters.
Jacobs received the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007 and was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011. He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a lifetime achievement award in 2016.
At Friday’s funeral, entertainment entrepreneur Dare Art Alade performed his song Pray for Me, which had featured Jacobs and his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva.
Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, also presented his father’s biography as tributes were paid to the late actor.
Jacobs and Silva were married for decades and co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, through which they contributed to film production and the training of performing arts professionals.
