FG mourns Olu Jacobs, says his legacy will never fade

President Bola Tinubu grieved the passing of veteran Nollywood actor and film executive, Olu Jacobs, who died at the age of 84. Known as Olu Jacobs, Jacobs passed away on Wednesday, according to his son, Olusoji Jacobs, who announced his death on Instagram. Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the late actor as one of Nigeria's most distinguished performers and a towering figure whose career encompassed theatre, television, and film on a global scale.

The President commended Jacobs for his significant contributions to the development and professionalization of Nigeria's entertainment industry, praising his ability to bring depth, dignity, and authenticity to the characters he portrayed, which earned him admiration both domestically and internationally. Tinubu mourned Jacobs' passing as a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry, and the global community of enthusiasts of performing arts, emphasizing that his remarkable body of work would continue to inspire generations to come.

The President urged the Nigerian nation to recognize the immense contributions of the country's creative practitioners to its cultural identity, global image, and economic development, stating that Olu Jacobs played a pivotal role in shaping this identity. Educated at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Jacobs pursued a career in British television and international cinema before returning to Nigeria, where he became a prominent figure in the local film industry.

He received numerous industry accolades and awards, including the esteemed national honor of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic. Tinubu conveyed his condolences to Jacobs' family, especially his wife, the renowned actress Joke Silva, their children, relatives, colleagues in the Nigerian film industry, and the broader creative community, praying for the repose of Jacobs' soul.