Atiku mourns Olu Jacobs, calls late actor a cultural institution

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has mourned veteran actor Olu Jacobs, who died at age 84. In a condolence message posted on his official social media page on Wednesday, Atiku described Jacobs as “an institution, a cultural icon and one of the finest ambassadors of Nigeria’s creative spirit.” He noted Jacobs became a familiar face to generations through his roles, distinctive voice, and contributions to the entertainment industry, emphasizing that the actor was already making an impact before Nollywood became a global name and helped pave the way for younger performers.

The former Vice President said Jacobs did more than entertain audiences; his roles became part of the memories of many Nigerians who grew up watching him. Atiku quoted, “The curtain may have fallen on an extraordinary life, but the characters he gave us, the standards he set and the generations he inspired will continue to speak for him.” He extended condolences to Jacobs’ wife, actress Joke Silva, their children, and the entire Jacobs family, while also commiserating with members of Nollywood, the wider African creative industry, and admirers of the late actor worldwide.

How will you honor Olu Jacobs’ legacy—by revisiting his classic films, supporting emerging Nigerian actors, or reflecting on the cultural standards he set for the industry?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/16/i-am-saddened-atiku-mourns-olu-jacobs/