Sola Sobowale Pays Tribute to Olu Jacobs, Says ‘He Trained Me’

Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has paid an emotional tribute to late veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, recalling the role he played in shaping her career in the Nigerian film industry.

Sobowale spoke on Wednesday at the Night of Tribute organised in honour of Jacobs at the Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos.

Jacobs died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84. His death was announced by his son, Olusoji Jacobs.

Reflecting on the recognition she has received for her acting career, Sobowale said audiences often see the finished product without knowing the people who helped shape her craft.

“When people see Sola Sobowale, they say she is a fantastic actor, but somebody trained me and Baba Olu Jacobs was that person who trained me. Man of knowledge, wisdom and a selfless man.”

The actress, widely recognised for her role as Toyin Tomato in Wale Adenuga’s popular television series Super Story, also recalled Jacobs’ manner of correcting and advising her whenever she approached him with issues.

“Anytime I bring my wahala, he has this, Sola, No, No, No,” she said, while mimicking the late actor’s familiar hand gesture.

Sobowale said the gesture carried more than a simple warning, describing it as a form of communication from a man whose experience and wisdom commanded respect.

Another veteran actor, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, also used the tribute to recount his own encounters with Jacobs and the professional influence he had on him.

Salami recalled meeting Jacobs in 1997 after admiring him from a distance for some time.

“My first meeting with him was in 1997. I had been seeing him from afar, loved him a lot and then decided to put up a (movie) script titled ‘Okunfa.’

“We shot the film in Ilorin in 1997.”

According to Salami, he contacted Jacobs and was asked to send him the script.

After forwarding the material, Salami said he asked the late actor when he should visit to discuss the project further.

Jacobs, however, told him there was no need for him to come.

“Don’t worry, I will come’” Bello quoted Jacobs as saying, adding, “And he came.”

Salami said Jacobs subsequently went through the script and made two contributions that significantly enhanced the project.

“I must confess to you. That man (Jacobs) thought of things that didn’t cross my mind

“He showed he was a father. He was a professional to the core,” Bello said.

He appealed to Jacobs’ children to preserve their father’s legacy and ensure that his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry remain remembered.

He urged them to keep “immortalising his name, so we won’t forget him for life.”

The Night of Tribute brought together family members, friends, colleagues and admirers of Jacobs, who was widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s prominent screen actors.

Among those who attended were Jide Kosoko, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, Afeez Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, Norbert Young, Femi Adebayo and Funke Akindele, among others.