Olu Jacobs’ family announces funeral dates, Night of Tributes

The family of veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has announced the dates for the funeral arrangements.

The funeral programme was publicly announced on Wednesday, with veteran actress Gloria Anozie Young sharing the burial details, while Jacobs’ widow, Joke Silva, separately invited President Bola Tinubu to the ceremonies in a letter dated the same day.

Mr Jacobs, who died on September 16 at the age of 84, will be remembered at the Night of Tributes on Wednesday, September 30, at Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island.

The event is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m., with guests expected to appear in shades of blue.

His funeral service will be held two days later, on Friday, October 2, at 10 a.m. at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The dress code for the funeral service is shades of green.

Silva invites Tinubu

The arrangements were contained in a September 23 letter signed by Mr Jacobs’ widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, and addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In the letter, Silva thanked Mr Tinubu for his condolence message following the actor’s death and for acknowledging his contribution to Nigeria’s creative industry.

“We are deeply touched by Your Excellency’s gesture and sincerely appreciate your support and prayers,” she said.

Mr Tinubu had, in his condolence message issued after Jacobs’ death, described the actor as a major figure in Nigeria’s creative industry and said his work had contributed to the country’s cultural identity and global image.

The letter from the Jacobs family also serves as an invitation to the President to attend the funeral ceremonies.

Death of a veteran

Jacobs died on September 16, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than five decades across theatre, television and film.

His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, in a statement that described the actor as “The Lion of Lufodo.”

The family gave his dates as July 11, 1942, to September 16, 2026, and appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect its privacy during the mourning period.

Born in Kano to parents of Egba-Alake heritage from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Jacobs developed an interest in drama as a young man before travelling to Britain, where he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

His professional career included work with major British and international institutions, such as the BBC, the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Walt Disney, MGM, and Universal Pictures, according to the Lufodo Group. His career also covered stage, television, film and radio.

Jacobs later returned to Nigeria and became one of the defining figures of the country’s emerging film industry.

He and Silva also co-founded the Lufodo Group, with interests spanning film production, distribution and performing arts education. The couple established the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts to train performers and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s creative industry.

READ ALSO: OBITUARY: Olu Jacobs, the Kano boy who conquered British stages, became Nollywood royalty, falls silent at 84

Jacobs received several recognitions during his career, including the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

His death prompted tributes from colleagues, filmmakers, political leaders and audiences across Nigeria and beyond.

With the funeral programme now announced, the Night of Tributes on September 30 will provide an opportunity for colleagues, friends and admirers to celebrate Jacobs’ life and career before the funeral service on October 2.