Some notable Nollywood have paid their tributes to late Olu Jacobs
BOB MANUEL UDOKWU
"My unforgettable encounters with Olu Jacobs,
TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND:OLU JACOBS! LION OF LUFODO.
A great iroko tree in the creative firmament of Nollywood has fallen and the entire Nigerian entertainment industry is shaken to it's foundation!
Even though the titan had been bravely battling illness for a while,there was shock, disbelief and sadness across the land.
The reason...?
Olu Jacobs was first among equals.
A thoroughbred professional and Thespian of the highest mold!
I first met the young, ebulient,charismatic, actor at the National Theatre Iganmu, Lagos in 1986 while a student of Theatre Arts in the then Department of Creative Arts, University of Port Harcourt,Rivers State.
We were in Lagos for a drama presentation under the direction and guardianship of our Head of Department,the legendary Professor Ola Rotimi who wrote the classic stage drama "The Gods Are Not To Blame".
Olu Jacobs who was already very popular both on stage and television at the time,happend to be around the National Theatre at the time.
When he learned that Ola Rotimi was there,he came to show the Prof whom he had once played the principal character "Odewale" in a London production of The Gods Are Not Blame, directed by the award winning playwright and theater director some courtesy.
Prof. Ola Rotimi stopped the rehearsal and warmly introduced Mr Jacobs to us.
We were all excited to see him in flesh!
He had a very friendly disposition towards us as students of Theatre Arts and gave us some pep talks before leaving.
Most of looked forward to attaining his status as a well known actor.
Years later, as Hollywood emerged, I was fortunate to be among the early young professional actors to grace the television screens across Nigeria and beyond.
In that regard, I was lucky to encounter and now work with the great Oludotun Jacobs in many major Nollywood movie productions in many different locations across Nigeria.
He was larger than life yet very down-to-earth and pleasant to work with.
He freely discussed his working experiences as an actor both in the UK and elsewhere with me on and off set.
His death is a rude and an incalculable loss to his family especially his wife, the wonderful actress Joke Silva, the Nigerian entertainment industry, our country Nigeria and Africa as a whole!
We have lost a jem indeed.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players" as William Shakespeare said.
Uncle Olu Jacob has played his role very well on the stage of life and has gloriously transited to eternity.
May he Rest In Peace and may God grant his family the grace and fortitude to bear the loss of his passage.
Good night Oludotun Jacobs!
Fare thee well!!"
SEGUN ARINZE
"A TRIBUTE TO A GIANT – OLU JACOBS
Today, Nollywood mourns the passing of one of its greatest pillars, a true giant of the Nigerian and African acting profession.
Olu Jacobs was more than an actor; he was an institution. A master of his craft, a teacher through his performances, and an inspiration to generations of actors who came after him.
His commanding presence, remarkable versatility, and unwavering commitment to excellence helped shape the industry we proudly call Nollywood today.
As colleagues, we mourn a great man. As an industry, we celebrate an enduring legacy. His voice may be silent, but his work, his influence, and the standards he set will continue to speak for generations.
Rest well, our own Olu Jacobs. Thank you for showing us what it truly means to be an actor.
The stage is yours no more, but your legacy remains forever.
Rest in peace, Sir.
May his family, especially Joke Silva and their children, find strength and comfort during this difficult time. His passing marks the end of an extraordinary era in the Nigerian Movie Industry . Good night Sir."
CHARLES OKAFOR
"How sad.
My song bursts for the surround voice that announced joy in the artistic space.
"Uncle Olu"meant so much to me.
Beyond his vastly cerebral and celebrated role interpretation distinctions, he epitomised a sterling attitude of disarming humility.Filmming with him,those years in Enugu and Lagos, uncle Olu would calm the "star struck" anxieties of upcoming (at the time) actors who would have succumbed to the natural effect of his ebullient global Thespian stature and presence on set.
He had a charming smile which,suddenly, broke into a "baritonic" laughter.
From Uncle Olu, I learnt what stardom ought to be and do, to accomplished and celebrated actors: Humility, Readiness,at all times,to impart knowledge and generate conviviality with colleagues for the overall artistic good of the project.
He was a fine man.He was a sweet soul.He was an actor per excellence.
He was my "Uncle Olu"
Adieu, Egbon mi.
Our loss of you is the gain of the angels because, I'm sure, you're cracking them up already, with debonair role- play.
Yet, I tear, hear on earth, not a little."
A TESTIMONIAL HEARTCRY FROM CHARLES IZU OKAFOR,
Veteran Nollywood Actor and International Advocacy Filmmaker.