Olu Jacobs receives accolades from family, colleagues, dignitaries at burial

The remains of veteran Nollywood actor, Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, were on Friday, October 2, laid to rest in Lagos State as his family, colleagues and dignitaries gathered to bid farewell to the screen legend.

Jacobs’ casket, adorned with flowers, was placed in front of the altar at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, where his funeral service was held.

The casket was carried into the church by pallbearers dressed in black, as his widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs, followed the pallbearers.

The casket attracted attention at the funeral because of its imposing and elegant appearance and there is no doubt that it must have cost fortunes to buy it.

The private burial followed the funeral service, according to the family’s previously announced arrangements.

Jacobs died on September 16 at the age of 84 after a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film.

His death was announced by his family through his son, Olusoji, who described him as the “Lion of Lufodo” and said the family was grateful to God for “a life well lived and fought.”

At the Night of Tributes held on Wednesday at Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, his son Soji offered an intimate account of the man the public knew primarily as one of Nigeria’s most commanding actors.

He said that despite his father’s enormous reputation in the entertainment industry, he knew him first and foremost as his father.

He also recalled how Jacobs deliberately separated his professional life from his family life and fiercely protected the privacy of his children.

“As much as the industry loved him and as possessive as they were of him, he always drew a fine line between that world and ours. He protected our privacy fiercely,” he said.