Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos as Dignitaries, Nollywood Stars Honour Screen Icon

Veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs has been laid to rest in Lagos, with family members, political leaders, colleagues and friends gathering to honour the late screen icon at his funeral service.

Jacobs, whose full name was Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84, after a career spanning more than five decades across theatre, television and film.

His funeral service was held on Friday, October 2, at This Present House, Freedom Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, before his remains were taken for a private burial.

Among those who attended the service were Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and former Ekiti First Lady Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.

Jacobs’ widow, veteran actress Joke Silva, attended the service with their sons, Olusoji and Olugbenga Jacobs.

Several prominent Nollywood actors and entertainment personalities were also present, including Shaffy Bello, Keppy Ekpeyong, Stan Nze, Ireti Doyle, Lala Akindoju, Kate Henshaw, OC Ukeje, Patrick Doyle, Stephanie Okereke and Ernest Obi.

Entertainment entrepreneur and performer Dare Art Alade also paid tribute to Jacobs during the service by performing Pray for Me, a song associated with the late actor and Joke Silva.

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The funeral followed a Night of Tributes and Service of Songs held on September 30 at Glover Memorial Hall on Lagos Island. The event attracted several generations of Nigerian actors and filmmakers who gathered to celebrate Jacobs’ contribution to the country’s entertainment industry.

Among those who attended the earlier tribute event were Richard Mofe-Damijo, Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Jide Kosoko, Rita Dominic, Hilda Dokubo and Segun Arinze.

Jacobs was widely recognised as one of the most influential figures in Nigerian theatre and film. He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London and built an acting career that included British theatre and television productions before returning to Nigeria in 1990.

He subsequently became a prominent figure in Nollywood, appearing in numerous films and television productions and mentoring younger performers through his work in the Nigerian entertainment industry.

Jacobs and Joke Silva also co-founded the Lufodo Group and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing to professional training and development in Nigeria’s performing arts sector.

His contributions earned him several honours, including the AFRIFF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021, an Icon Award from the Actors and Voters Rights Society in 2022 and an Industry Merit Award at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

The funeral brought to a close a series of tributes celebrating the life and career of an actor whose work extended across theatre, television and film in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

With his burial held privately after Friday’s funeral service, family, colleagues and admirers have continued to remember Olu Jacobs for his longstanding contribution to African theatre and cinema.

Olu Jacobs Laid to Rest in Lagos as Dignitaries, Nollywood Stars Honour Screen Icon

Phyna Knocks Out Nkechi Blessing in Fourth Round, Wins ₦50m, New Car

Reality TV star Phyna has defeated Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday by fourth-round knockout in their highly anticipated celebrity boxing bout in Lagos.

The contest took place at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, during Balmoral Promotions’ Chaos in the Ring event in the early hours of Friday, October 2.

The four-round bout ended in the final round after Phyna knocked Nkechi Blessing to the canvas, securing victory in one of the headline contests of the celebrity boxing event.

Phyna, the winner of the 2022 edition of the reality TV show Big Brother Naija, had been involved in a heated build-up with Nkechi Blessing before the fight, with both entertainers trading words during their promotional activities.

After the opening three rounds, Phyna stepped up her attack in the fourth and eventually stopped the actress to bring the contest to an end.

The victory earned Phyna a ₦50 million cash prize and a new car, adding to the attention surrounding her participation in the boxing event.

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Following her victory, Phyna indicated that she was interested in continuing with boxing and also called out actress Etinosa Idemudia, who was present at the event.

Etinosa accepted the challenge, potentially setting up another celebrity boxing bout involving Phyna.

The Phyna-Nkechi Blessing contest was one of several celebrity bouts staged as part of Chaos in the Ring, which combined entertainment personalities with professional boxing.

Another celebrity contest featured content creator Carter Efe against entertainer Speed Darlington, with Carter Efe emerging victorious.

The professional headline bout saw Ghanaian boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeat Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah to claim the WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental Championship.

The Lagos event attracted entertainers, boxing fans and other personalities, with the celebrity contests generating significant attention ahead of and during the programme.

For Phyna, however, the night ended with a knockout victory over Nkechi Blessing, a ₦50 million prize, a new car and a fresh challenge for another celebrity boxing contest.

Phyna Knocks Out Nkechi Blessing in Fourth Round, Wins ₦50m, New Car

Nollywood Mourns as Actor Cjay Nwokafor Dies Suddenly

The Nollywood industry has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of actor Chijioke Temidayo Nwokafor, popularly known as Cjay Nwoks or Cjay.

Cjay died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after he was taken to a hospital in the Badore area of Lagos State, according to reports. His colleague, actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday, announced his death in an emotional social media video from the hospital.

Nkechi said she had spoken with Cjay at about 8am on Wednesday, only to learn of his death a few hours later. She described the development as devastating and said they had plans together before his sudden passing.

The actress had also been preparing to release her movie Egusi Ogbono, in which Cjay featured, at 5pm the same day. Following news of his death, she cancelled the planned release.

The cause of Cjay Nwokafor’s death has not been officially disclosed by his family or a medical authority.

However, actor Emeka Okoye, while mourning his colleague, alleged that a shortage of oxygen at the hospital contributed to Cjay’s death and questioned the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. The allegation has not been independently verified and should not be treated as the established cause of death.

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Okoye also described Cjay as a talented baker who used his skills to support and help others. He said the late actor had touched the lives of several people beyond his work in the film industry.

Cjay’s death has shocked colleagues and fans, particularly because he had remained active in the industry shortly before his passing. An interview with the actor focusing on his career and ambitions was published only days before his death.

Born in Awka, Anambra State, and based in Lagos, Cjay began his professional acting career in 2021. He went on to feature in several Nollywood productions, including Larry Cold, Mum Overnight, A Day to My Wedding, The Lies She Tell, What Time Left, Fond of You, Godly Escort and Tide.

In an interview published shortly before his death, Cjay recalled how his first experience on a film set influenced his decision to pursue acting professionally. He said working alongside filmmaker Ruth Kadiri helped inspire his interest in building a career in Nollywood.

His appearance in Egusi Ogbono was among his recent projects, with the film’s scheduled release cancelled following his death.

Nkechi Blessing later shared a video collage featuring moments she spent with Cjay, expressing disbelief over the loss and the plans they had made. Fellow entertainers, including Fathia Williams, Peggy Ovire, Destiny Etiko and Ruth Kadiri, were among those who expressed condolences following news of his death.

Cjay’s final social media posts have also drawn renewed attention from fans, with many expressing shock at the suddenness of his passing.

As of Thursday, October 1, no official cause of death had been announced, and details of his funeral arrangements had not been made public.

The death adds to the recent losses recorded in Nollywood, as colleagues and fans continue to pay tribute to the actor and remember his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.

Nollywood Mourns as Actor Cjay Nwokafor Dies Suddenly