Veteran Nollywood actor Olu Jacobs is alive and well, as confirmed directly by his family.
Earlier on Sunday, social media was abuzz with reports of the veteran actor’s death, causing widespread panic among fans who quickly began sharing condolences.
Recall, this is not the first time such rumors have surfaced; in fact, it marks the third instance in four years that the award-winning actor has been falsely reported dead.
In response to these recurrent falsehoods, the family has taken steps to reassure the public about his well-being.
Soji Jacobs, the actor’s son, confirmed to Channels Television that his father is “very much alive.” To further disprove the rumors, Soji shared a video with Channels Television showing his father, although frail, in good spirits while getting his beard shaved and chatting lightly with his barber.
The video also captured the moment when Soji informed his father about the latest death rumors, to which Olu Jacobs responded with shock.
Speaking with QEDNG newspaper, Soji Jacobs expressed the family’s frustration with these persistent death rumors, which surface yearly.
He mentioned receiving numerous calls from concerned individuals worldwide, describing the situation as both annoying and distressing for the family.
Betty Irabor, the publisher of Genevieve Magazine and a close friend of Joke Jacobs, the actor’s wife, also debunked the rumors. She tweeted, “Olu Jacob is well and alive. Please ignore all rumours of his passing. He is alive, please.”
Similarly, Kate Henshaw, the spokesperson for the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), voiced her displeasure over the recurring death rumors. She emphasized that these false reports are not only distressing to the family but also to the actor’s fans and colleagues.
This recent incident is part of a troubling trend. In June 2020, similar unfounded reports of Olu Jacobs’ death spread across Twitter (now X) and Facebook. The AGN quickly refuted these false claims, with their spokesperson Monalisa Chinda-Coker confirming that the legendary actor was alive and well.
In August 2022, another wave of death rumours surfaced, which Joke Silva, Jacobs’ wife, debunked vehemently, even threatening legal action against those spreading the misinformation.
Concerns about Jacobs’ health have been a topic of public interest since November 2021, when his wife revealed his battle with Dementia Lewy body (DLB), a degenerative disease affecting the brain. In an interview, Joke Silva explained, “It’s almost like Parkinson’s; it affects the brain, so you don’t see the shaking. It’s been hard on him and the family.”
The persistence of these death rumors highlights the darker side of social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly and cause unnecessary distress. The Jacobs family, along with their friends and colleagues, continue to advocate for respect and accuracy in reporting, urging the public to verify information before sharing it.
What are your reactions to the recent rumours about veteran nollywood actor Jacobs?
