The funeral mass for late Nollywood veteran Olu Jacobs held on Friday at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos. Family members, colleagues, and dignitaries gathered to honour the actor.
A live coverage by Lufodo Productions showed Jacobs’ widow, actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, at the service.
They were dressed in blue. Jacobs’ casket was placed in front of the church and adorned with flowers as the funeral mass got underway.
Among those announced at the service were Lagos State First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and his wife, Chief Mrs Oluremi Hamzat; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
Entertainment entrepreneur Dare Art Alade was also present. He performed “Pray for Me”, a song he recorded with Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva. Jacobs’ son, Olugbenga Jacobs, presented his father’s biography during the funeral programme.
A Life That Shaped Generations
Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. Known as the “Lion of Lufodo”, his career spanned more than five decades.
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working in British theatre and television. He later became one of Nigeria’s most recognisable actors.
He and Joke Silva, whom he married in 1989, co-founded the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts.
The academy trains performers and supports film production. Jacobs was also honoured with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2011.
The funeral followed a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos Island, on Wednesday.
The event brought together several leading figures in Nollywood, including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Adebayo Salami, Hilda Dokubo, Rita Dominic and Segun Arinze.
At the tribute ceremony, colleagues reflected on Jacobs’ decades-long contribution to theatre, television and film. Richard Mofe-Damijo recalled a lesson the late actor taught him about the importance of every role in a production.
Sola Sobowale spoke emotionally about Jacobs’ encouragement early in her career.
Jacobs’ death triggered tributes from actors, filmmakers, political leaders and admirers across Nigeria and beyond. Many reflected on his influence on generations of performers.
Guests attending Friday’s funeral service were asked to wear shades of green. The earlier Night of Tributes had a blue dress code. The funeral service is expected to be followed by a private burial.
Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha Loses Father
Meanwhile, Nollywood actress Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha has announced the death of her father, Leonard Ndukaife Chukwuka.
The actress said in an Instagram post on Friday that the loss was particularly painful because she lost her mother 13 years ago.
“My beloved father, Leonard Ndukaife Chukwuka, has gone to be with the Lord,” she wrote. “I lost my mother 13 years ago and now that my father is gone, the thought that I have neither parent here anymore breaks my heart in a way I cannot fully explain. So na only me bayi?”
The actress fondly remembered her father as “my daddy, papa’m, obara’m, my comfort”. She expressed gratitude that he lived long enough to witness his children and grandchildren.
“I am so thankful you lived a long life, and I am grateful to God you saw your children and grandchildren. We had hoped you would meet your great-grandchildren too, mana nya diba!” she said.
Reflecting on the pain of losing a parent, Chukwuka said there is always a desire for more time with loved ones. “No matter how many years we are given with a parent, we still want one more conversation, one more embrace, one more day,” she wrote.
She said she chose not to immediately make the loss public because she needed time to process her grief. “I have held this news close while trying to understand my own grief,” she said.
Chukwuka appealed to fans, friends and well-wishers to pray for her, her siblings and the entire Chukwuka family. She added that the family would announce details of her father’s funeral arrangements in due time.
