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Olu Jacobs: The Godfather of Nollywood (PHOTOS)

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Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs (born 11 July 1942)—popularly known as Olu Jacobs—is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated actors and film executives. Widely regarded as a godfather of Nollywood, his career spans more than five decades and has made him a cornerstone of African cinema and theatre.

Early Life and Training

Born in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olu Jacobs developed a passion for drama while growing up in southwestern Nigeria. In pursuit of professional training, he travelled to the United Kingdom and studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. This classical training equipped him with world-class stage and screen techniques that would later define his acting style.

Career in Theatre and British Television

Before returning to Nigeria, Jacobs enjoyed a thriving career in the United Kingdom. He performed in numerous British theatre productions and appeared on television series such as The Goodies and Till Death Us Do Part in the 1970s. He also featured in international films including the action-adventure Ashanti (1979) and the war drama The Dogs of War (1980), gaining valuable experience that broadened his craft and international appeal.

Nollywood Stardom

After decades abroad, Jacobs returned home and became one of the defining faces of Nollywood. Over the years he has appeared in more than 120 Nigerian films, where his deep, commanding voice and magnetic presence made him the preferred choice for roles as a patriarch, elder statesman, king, or political leader. Among his notable Nigerian works are Mirror of Beauty (2004) and Adesuwa (2012). His performances consistently blend gravitas with subtle emotional depth, shaping the standard for character acting in Nigeria’s film industry.

Awards and Recognition

Jacobs’ achievements have earned him some of the industry’s highest honors. In 2007, he won the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Dancing Heart. In 2013, he received the Industry Merit Award at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), a lifetime honor recognizing his pioneering role and mentorship in Nollywood.

Legacy and Mentorship

Beyond his on-screen work, Jacobs is celebrated as a mentor and symbol of professionalism. Together with his wife—veteran actress Joke Silva—he co-founded the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, which trains and inspires the next generation of African actors. His dedication to nurturing talent has helped institutionalize high standards of acting and production in Nigeria.

Olu Jacobs’ journey—from Abeokuta to London’s RADA and back to Nigeria—reflects a lifelong passion for the arts that has reshaped African cinema. Revered by peers and audiences alike, he remains a living legend whose presence continues to inspire respect, admiration, and excellence in storytelling.

Sources
Vanguard Nigeria, “Olu Jacobs: A Living Legend of Nollywood,” 2013.

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Lifestyle

Genevieve Nnaji slams viral tweet urging Igbo men to marry non-Igbo women

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Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.

The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.

Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.

“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”

Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

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Don’t handle your family feud like I did, Phyna advises Imisi

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Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.

In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.

“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.

“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”

The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.

Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.

“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.

“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”

Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.

She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.

In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.

In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.

Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.

He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.

He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.

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Ned Never Slept Outside Because I Held Him Well In The Other Room – Regina Daniels

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Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.

In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.

She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.

“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.

“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”

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