Tinubu Mourns Olu Jacobs At 84, Hails Veteran Actor’s Legacy

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, who died at the age of 84 on Wednesday.

In a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, Tinubu described Jacobs as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished actors and a towering figure whose career spanned theatre, television and film in Nigeria and internationally.

Jacobs trained at London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts before establishing a career in British television and international film. He later returned to Nigeria, where he became one of the leading figures in the country’s rapidly developing film industry.

The veteran actor received several major industry honours during his career and was also conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Tinubu said Jacobs made significant contributions to the development and professionalisation of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, inspiring generations of actors and filmmakers through his talent, discipline and dedication.

The President also praised Jacobs’ ability to bring depth, dignity and authenticity to the characters he portrayed, qualities which, he said, earned the actor widespread admiration in Nigeria and beyond.

“He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts,” Tinubu said.

The President added that Jacobs’ body of work would continue to influence future generations, noting that Nigeria’s creative practitioners had played an important role in shaping the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development.

“Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity,” he said.

Tinubu extended his condolences to Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Chief Joke Silva, their children, relatives, colleagues in the Nigerian film industry and the wider creative community.

He prayed for the repose of the late actor’s soul and for comfort for his family and loved ones.