Olu Jacobs; His Beautiful Love Story.

Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, Nigerian actor and film executive was born on 11 July 1942. He has worked on so many amazing acting projects over the years and he is regarded now  as part of the “Old Nollywood”.

Early Life

Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs was born to parents from Egba Alake.

He spent his early childhood in Kano  and attended Holy Trinity School where he was a member of the debating and drama societies. Afterwards, he secured a visa and traveled to England to study acting.

In England, Olu Jacobs trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.

He then appeared in 1978, he played the role of President Mageeba in Michael Codron’s presentation of Sir Tom Stoppard’s play Night and Day.

Olu Jacobs  has starred in over 120 Nollywood films. Wow! I know. Quite a shocking number. He is considered one of the top Nigerian Nollywood actors.

His Love Story With Joke Silva

Olu Jacob’s love life history rotates around his love for one woman; Joke Silvia.

Jacobs has been married to Nollywood actress Joke Silva since 1989. They have two children together named Olugbenga Jacobs and Olusoju Jacobs.

During an interview whewhere was asked why their marriage was still going strong despite their long years being together, this was his reply

“When one is thinking for oneself alone, one has nobody to worry about. But the moment one has a partner, one’s thoughts change because everything one does from that point has to be done for two.

Until one understands that, one cannot be said to be truly married. You have to factor in your partner in your thoughts at all times.

Also, you have to come to an agreement (over certain issues) because there is no point in disagreeing. You must be able to talk to each other calmly, politely and respectfully, without shouting. If you have a tight schedule, you have to make sure you still find time for your partner.

In any relationship, both partners must be open and frank with each other. If you disagree, you can take some time to calm down and come back to deal with the issue.”

He also revealed during the Interview that some of the qualities he found endearing about her was her straightforwardness and her ability to not mince words when getting the truth across.

Only Jacobs also revealed that one way they keep the fire burning in their marriage despite being with each other for so long is by getting things for each other.

This also makes it impossible for them to fight.

Joke Silva also revealed that the first time she met him he had told her that she was the woman he was going to get married to.

When Jacobs was  asked why his wife still wore her maiden initials despite being married to him

Jacobs answered:

“She is her own individual. When I met her, she was an actress known as Joke Silva so why should I marry her now and deny her and her audience her name.

She is Miss Joke Silva who is Mrs. Joke Jacobs. It is as simple as that. People now begin to say what they like.

They have even written that we are separated and all sort of stuff. When she is working, she is Joke Silva but she is Mrs. Joke Jacobs at home.

Shocking news circulated back in 2020 with the rumors stating that he had died.

However, this rumors were soon put to rest because Olu Jacobs and his wife attended Afriff in November 2021,

Challenges In Marriage

Joke Silva in April, 2022 revealed that her husband has dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

According to her, “This has been going on for a couple of years. My husband is dealing with issues and it is been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy Body.

“It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson type of disease; it affects the brain and affects the person.”

She expressed that it had been hard on her husband because he did not understand what was going on and it had been tough also for the family members.

“We have gone through it over the past couple of years but we thank God.

“We have gone through some times and situations recently that I wish I had the old you here so I don’t battle these times on my own but we are grateful for the moment of clarity. I miss the times we worked together.”

We all can only empathize with their family during these dark and trying moment’s, putting them in our prayers and hoping things change for the better soon.

Olu Jacobs has shown that you can be great at your career and also be great at doing love.

Despite his current health challenges, His milestone career achievement  and love journey is one that is worthy of emulation.