Veteran actor Olu Jacobs was laid to rest in Lagos on Friday, following a funeral service that brought together family members, friends, colleagues, dignitaries, and many stars from the Nigerian film industry. The service was held at the Freedom Centre in Lekki, where attendees paid their respects to the late actor. Jacobs passed away in September at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as one of Nigeria's most respected actors.
Notable attendees at the funeral included Obafemi Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, and Ibikunle Amosun, a former Governor of Ogun State. Several Nollywood stars were also present, including Shaffy Bello, Keppy Ekpeyong, Stan Nze, Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Ireti Doyle, Lala Akindoju, Kate Henshaw, OC Ukeje, Patrick Doyle, Stephanie Okereke, and Ernest Obi. The gathering was a testament to Jacobs' impact on the Nigerian entertainment industry.
The funeral followed a night filled with tributes and a service of songs held on Wednesday to celebrate Jacobs and his contributions to the industry. Born in 1942 to parents from Egba Alake, Jacobs spent his childhood in Kano and attended Holy Trinity School there. His love for performing arts grew after watching a Hubert Ogunde concert party performance at the Colonial Hotel in Kano.
Jacobs' passion for acting led him to train at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He began his stage career in the 1970s, playing The Boy in 'A Taste of Honey' at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in 1972. He also appeared in various British television shows, including 'The Goodies,' 'Till Death Us Do Part,' and 'Barlow at Large.'
In 1978, Jacobs played President Mageeba in Michael Codron's production of Sir Tom Stoppard's play 'Night and Day.' After returning to Nigeria in 1990, he appeared in the NTA detective series 'The Third Eye' and became a prominent figure in the growing Nollywood industry. Jacobs acted in hundreds of films, earning many awards for his work.
Jacobs' achievements were recognized with several awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2021 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and an Icon Award from the Audio-Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) in 2022. At the 2023 AMVCA, Jacobs received the Industry Merit Award for his significant contributions to acting.
The outpouring of tributes and condolences from the entertainment industry and beyond is a testament to Jacobs' enduring legacy. His contributions to Nigerian cinema have left a lasting impact, and he will be remembered as one of the country's most celebrated actors.
Key points
- Jacobs was laid to rest in Lagos after a funeral service attended by dignitaries and Nollywood stars.
- The late actor had a long and distinguished career, earning numerous awards for his contributions to Nigerian cinema.
- Jacobs' legacy will continue to inspire future generations of actors and entertainers in Nigeria.
