Remembering My 2012 Encounter With Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

I met Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva at their Ajah home in Lagos in August 2012, shortly after their return from the London Olympics. Although I arrived expecting to meet two towering Nollywood figures, I encountered warm, humble artists whose deepest passion was theatre and storytelling. Through their company, Lufodo Productions, they helped curate theatre, film and poetry for the New World Nigeria project in London. They presented works by Sefi Atta, Wole Soyinka and Fred Agbeyegbe, alongside Nigerian poetry and a Nollywood film showcase. Their goal was simple: to let the world see Nigeria through its own stories. Olu Jacobs described theatre as the foundation of an actor’s craft, while Joke Silva reflected on how film and television give performers a wider audience. Their shared commitment to the arts, and the quiet rhythm of their partnership, stood out throughout our conversation. Jacobs also recalled seeing Hubert Ogunde perform when he was seven years old. That childhood experience inspired him to pursue acting and eventually bring joy to generations of Nigerians.

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