Olu Jacobs Dies at 84, Years After Repeated Death Rumours Were Debunked

Veteran Nigerian actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

His death was announced by his family on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with his wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, and their son, Olusoji Jacobs, confirming the news.

In the family statement, Jacobs was described as “The Lion of Lufodo,” with his dates recorded as July 11, 1942, to September 16, 2026.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well lived and fought, that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and uncle. The Lion of Lufodo,” the family said.

The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn the veteran actor. The cause of his death had not been disclosed as of the time of publication.

Jacobs built a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before working in British television and international film productions and later becoming one of the most recognised figures in Nigeria’s film industry.

He appeared in numerous Nigerian productions and became known for his commanding screen presence and versatility. Among his honours was the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007, while he also received other lifetime and industry achievement awards.

In 2011, Jacobs was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, in recognition of his contribution to the Nigerian film industry.

His death comes after years of false reports claiming that he had died.

One of the most widely reported incidents occurred in June 2024, when social media posts claiming that Jacobs had died circulated widely. Joke Silva then confirmed that her husband was alive, telling reporters that he was “alive and doing just fine.” The Actors Guild of Nigeria also described the reports as false.

Africa Check reported at the time that the death claim was false and noted that similar rumours had previously circulated in 2021. Jacobs’ son, Olusoji, also provided a video of his father in response to the 2024 reports.

The 2024 episode was not the first such incident. TheCable reported that death rumours had resurfaced in 2021 and 2022, with the 2022 reports prompting Silva to warn people spreading unfounded claims that legal action could follow.

Jacobs’ later years were marked by health challenges, with Silva previously speaking publicly about his condition and his reduced public appearances. However, previous reports of his death were repeatedly denied by his family and colleagues.

The latest announcement is different from those earlier reports because it has been made by Jacobs’ own family, who confirmed that he died on September 16, 2026.

Olu Jacobs is survived by his wife, Joke Silva, their children and grandchildren.

There Was A Time When No One Invited Me To Parties, Mo Bimpe Opens Up On Childlessness Journey

Nollywood actress Adebimpe Oyebade, popularly known as Mo Bimpe, has opened up about her personal journey to motherhood after attending the first birthday celebration of Rakeem Mkambala, the son of actress Iyabo Ojo’s daughter, Priscilla Ojo, and Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

Mo Bimpe attended Rakeem’s lavish first birthday celebration in Lagos on Saturday, August 29, where she joined other celebrities and well-wishers to celebrate the one-year-old.

Rakeem officially turned one on August 24, while his family held the grand birthday celebration five days later. The cowboy-themed event attracted several personalities from the Nigerian entertainment industry. 

Reflecting on the celebration, Mo Bimpe said she became emotional after returning home from the event because it reminded her of a difficult period in her own life.

She revealed that there was a time when she was not invited to baby showers, naming ceremonies, children’s birthdays or other celebrations involving children.

According to the actress, she later discovered that some people deliberately excluded her because she did not have children at the time.

“At the time, it hurt deeply,” she said, explaining that her pain was not because she wanted pity, but because she genuinely loved children and wanted to share in the happiness of people around her.

Mo Bimpe used the experience to appeal to people to be more sensitive towards women who are waiting to have children.

She noted that struggling to conceive can already be emotionally difficult, with the waiting, questions, unsolicited comments, insults and silent prayers becoming an enormous burden.

“Please don’t make it harder by excluding people,” she said.

The actress also encouraged people to invite, love and celebrate women who do not yet have children, stressing that motherhood should not determine whether a woman deserves friendship, love or inclusion.

Her message comes just months after she and her husband, actor Lateef Adedimeji, welcomed their own long-awaited blessing.

The couple announced the arrival of triplets, three boys, on May 1, 2026, nearly five years after their December 2021 wedding. Lateef described the children as his “world,” “responsibility” and “legacy.” 

The babies were later named Rahman, Raheem and Rakeeb during a private Islamic naming ceremony held in Lagos in May. The couple referred to their sons as their “three kings.” 

Months after becoming a mother of three, Mo Bimpe reflected on how dramatically her life had changed.

“There was a time I had no child. Today, I am a mother of triplets,” she wrote.

She encouraged women still waiting for their own testimonies not to lose hope, saying her experience had taught her that life can change unexpectedly.

“The same God who remembered me has not forgotten you,” she wrote, urging women to keep believing and hoping.

Mo Bimpe further said that what appears delayed is not necessarily denied, adding that when the long-awaited moment eventually comes, it can be more beautiful than imagined.

Her message has since resonated with many women who have experienced the emotional pressure associated with childlessness and delayed motherhood.

For Mo Bimpe, attending Rakeem’s first birthday was therefore more than another celebrity gathering. It became a reminder of the journey she had travelled, from being excluded from children’s celebrations to celebrating motherhood herself as a mother of three.

Lagos Government Mourns Veteran Actor Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’

The Lagos State Government has mourned the death of veteran Nollywood actor and cultural icon, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described Hassan’s death as a major loss to the creative and cultural community.

Benson-Awoyinka extended the ministry’s condolences to the actor’s family, friends, colleagues and members of the Nollywood and wider creative arts community.

The commissioner described Hassan as more than an actor, noting that he played an important role in promoting and preserving Yoruba culture through his decades-long career.

According to her, the late actor was a custodian of culture and a gifted storyteller who used his work on stage and screen to showcase Yoruba heritage while entertaining generations of Nigerians.

She said Hassan’s contributions to Yoruba culture, theatre and the entertainment industry helped shape the cultural landscape of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“Taiwo Hassan was more than an actor. He was a custodian of culture, a gifted storyteller, and a proud ambassador of Yoruba heritage,” Benson-Awoyinka said.

She added that his dedication to the creative sector had left a legacy that would continue to inspire future generations.

The ministry also commiserated with Hassan’s family and the entire Nollywood community, describing his passing as an irreplaceable loss to those who were touched by his talent, passion and warmth.

“We pray that Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” the commissioner stated.

Hassan, who died at the age of 66 after battling cancer, was one of the notable figures in Yoruba-language cinema, with a career spanning several decades as an actor, producer and filmmaker.

His death has continued to attract tributes from government officials, colleagues and admirers across Nigeria.

Nollywood Mourns Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ as Colleagues Rally Around Veteran Actor’s Family

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, at the age of 66.

Ogogo’s death was confirmed on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with his daughter, Kira Taiwo, announcing the development during a live session. Fellow veteran actor Jide Kosoko also confirmed the death to TheCable. 

The actor’s passing came just days after colleagues, friends and members of the public rallied around his family following the revelation that he was battling stage-four cancer.

Before his death, several prominent figures in the Yoruba entertainment industry had publicly expressed concern over his deteriorating health and joined calls for prayers and medical assistance.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko had earlier spoken on the enormous response from people seeking to assist Ogogo, revealing that the family had received hundreds of offers of medical, spiritual and other forms of help.

Kosoko appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for Ogogo while explaining that moving the actor from the hospital for alternative treatment was difficult because of his condition. 

Ogogo’s longtime friend and fellow veteran actor Yinka Quadri also expressed solidarity with him during the health crisis.

Quadri shared an edited photograph of himself with Ogogo on Instagram and acknowledged the widespread concern and prayers being offered for his friend. His post attracted emotional reactions from fans and colleagues who were following Ogogo’s condition. 

Another emotional moment came from veteran Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba, who publicly prayed for Ogogo during a wedding ceremony on Sunday.

Ayuba, who was performing at the event, reportedly spoke about Ogogo’s condition after seeing Yinka Quadri at the venue. He prayed for Ogogo’s recovery and recalled a previous holy pilgrimage they had undertaken together.

The moment was particularly emotional because it occurred on the same day reports of Ogogo’s death emerged. At the time of Ayuba’s prayer, the singer was still publicly expressing hope for his friend’s recovery. 

The entertainment community had also gathered for a special prayer session for Ogogo as his health deteriorated. Several veteran Yoruba actors and filmmakers were among those who came together to pray for the actor and offer support to his family. 

Ogogo’s daughters, Lima and Kira, had earlier made emotional appeals for assistance, revealing that the family only became aware of the seriousness of his condition weeks before.

They said they were not seeking financial donations but needed access to medical professionals, hospitals and specialists who could provide possible treatment options.

Kira later disclosed that doctors had informed the family that chemotherapy could no longer be administered because of the advanced stage of the cancer.

The family’s appeal generated widespread concern across Nigeria, with fans and colleagues hoping that another treatment option could be found.

However, Ogogo has now died, bringing an end to the desperate search for medical assistance that had dominated discussions around the actor in recent days.

His death also comes only five days after his family dismissed an earlier social media report claiming that he had died.

On August 18, Lima Taiwo described that report as false and urged members of the public to stop spreading fake information about her father. 

Ogogo was one of the prominent figures in Yoruba-language Nollywood, building a career that spanned several decades as an actor, producer, director and filmmaker.

His passing has left fans and colleagues mourning a veteran whose career helped shape Yoruba cinema and whose work remained familiar to generations of Nigerian movie audiences.

More tributes from colleagues, entertainers and other public figures are expected to emerge as the industry comes to terms with his death.

Taiwo Hassan’s Daughter Debunks Death Rumour, Says Actor Still Alive

The daughter of veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has debunked reports circulating on social media claiming that the 66-year-old actor has died.

The death rumour surfaced on Tuesday after a Facebook user claimed that one of Ogogo’s daughters, Haleemah Taiwo, had announced his death.

The post alleged that the actor had died after being rejected by different hospitals and claimed that he was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

However, Ogogo’s daughter, Lima Taiwo, dismissed the report as false, urging members of the public to stop spreading the claim.

In a reaction shared on Instagram, Lima repeatedly described the report as fake, writing: “This is false!!!!!!! This is false!!!!! This is false!!!!! This is false!!! THIS IS FAKE… PLEASE STOP SPREADING FAKE NEWS.”

Her clarification came a day after she and her sister, Kira Taiwo, separately appealed for urgent medical assistance for their father, who is battling cancer.

In an emotional video shared on Instagram on Monday, Lima disclosed that the actor’s health condition had deteriorated and alleged that some hospitals had declined to continue treating him.

Fighting back tears, she appealed to medical professionals, hospitals and individuals with access to advanced cancer treatment facilities to assist the family in finding a way to continue his treatment.

Lima said the family only became aware of the seriousness of her father’s condition about three weeks earlier, explaining that his physical appearance had initially not suggested the severity of the illness.

She also stressed that the family was not seeking financial donations but urgently needed medical assistance, including access to specialists and facilities capable of treating his condition.

In a separate emotional video, Kira revealed that her father’s cancer was at Stage 4 and said the hospital currently treating him had informed the family that it could no longer administer chemotherapy.

Kira also appealed to hospitals, cancer specialists and medical professionals with possible treatment options to come forward and assist the veteran actor.

She urged anyone who could help the family access appropriate medical care to contact either her or her sister, stressing that she remained determined to find a way to secure treatment for their father.

The latest clarification means reports of Ogogo’s death are false, although his family has confirmed that he is facing a serious health challenge and is in urgent need of medical assistance.

The family is therefore appealing to the public to avoid spreading unverified reports about the actor’s condition and instead help connect them with credible medical professionals and cancer treatment facilities.

Shemariah Newsroom urges members of the public to rely on verified information from the actor’s family and credible sources regarding his health.