How I met Joke Sylva – Olu Jacobs

No doubt he is now a fatherly figure in the Nigerian movie sector with a thorough training in England and a robust talent in acting. Olu Jacobs popularly known as Uncle Olu in Nollywood is truly a force to reckon with.
Aside recording his feat in the theatre, Uncle Olu is married to an equally talented actress, Joke Sylvia and both have since lived happily with their children despite the enormous challenges they have faced in showbiz.
And having spent well over four decades in theatre practice, Uncle Olu said he is yet to retire, he promises to continue to act as far as he is a major inspiration to a greater number of to younger professionals who cherish excellence in role interpretation.

Jacobs who reputed for handling every script that comes his way with unwavering professionalism also said that he has not and will never compromise standards in his chosen career. If he leaves, according to him, he is rooted in the type of training he received in the United Kingodm which will always guide him his conduct as a theatre practitioner.

If there is anything that Olu detests in Nollywood, it is the mistake that artistes usually make by calling themselves stars.

According to him, “ Our audience call us stars, we do not call ourselves stars because it takes a lot to be a star. Unfortunately we find out that we are in a nation of titles where you find an upcoming artiste calling himself or herself a star even when he is she is not. That limits one’s growth and I really think it takes more than that to be a star, it takes years of work and highly appreciated works by the public before you begin to recognize one as a good actor.
While listing recipees records for a successful career in acting, Jacobs hinted that actors must strive to fit into their role and that the only way to achieve this, is to take time to study their scripts very well, he added “ For me, I study scripts very well, when I read my stories, I understand my different roles very well, I have never had problems with any of my scripts”
Asked about the role of government in moving motion picture forward, Olu Jacobs who said it took government a fairly long time to reckon with Nollywood and its potentials he added “ over the years, government merely paid lip service or used artistes to entertain their guests that was way they saw the profession before now but eventually when embarking on their numerous trips abroad, they were being congratulated by their different hosts for movies coming from Nigeria and how enjoyable they were. Also new economic doors were been opened, hence they started realizing that there is something unique about the industry “
The veteran actor who met his wife in the hall of fame also spoke about romance, love and coping with his spouse who belongs to the same acting profession. His words
“ Usually, my wife and I do not use the time of work to do other things since we do come from the same house. We normally face our work at, it is after work that we can have ample time for other things. We also lucky to have children who understands the way we work and we try as much as possible to think of them as we move around to work.
On how he met Joke Sylvia, award winning delectable actress, Jacobs said “ I was invited to help cast Wole Soyinka’s Jero’s Metamorphosis which was staged at the National Theatre, after that I also directed a play for the 21st Independent Anniversary celebration of Nigeria, we had a huge cast for the play, one day we were having a conference with the production people when the day opened and a lady just walked in. I had not met her before but I just proposed to her, I told the people, ladies and gentlemen, this is the lady, I am going to marry. They beckoned on the lady who turned out to be Joke only for her to smile and she left. Later we became friends and five years letter we got married as I predicted, although I did not know why I made that statement. I never regretted, I have never felt uncomfortable about it.
Describing his wife as a very romantic person, Uncle Olu however believes that God has always been the pillar of his marriage “ It is always good when God gives you your friend as spouse, when you meet your friend as your wife, life would be much easier because when others fail, you would succeed with friendship. Joke is more than a friend to me, she is a mother, a friend and a very caring, generous and deep person”
When asked about sexual harassment and if he has been a victim of sexual harassment as an actor, Jacob said he has never been sexually harassed, he said “ It happens lately. I think wherever you have men and women, men will fancy women and vice versa but some men may like to take advantage of the situation. Nevertheless, I believe people who think they have to harass people to get favour especially actresses do not usually do well. Eventually people like that always loose their respect and patronage.
Explaining his experiences as a screen and stage actor, Olu Jacobs said “ With stage plays, I get my reactions from the audience instantaneously. I know when I am losing and I know when I have them on my palm but with movies you are only talking to a cold room and I can only hear the lonely voice of my director saying thank you Olu or give me a close shot of that or a medium.