A Special Tribute: Olu Jacobs Was One of a Kind, Tunde Kelani

I first met Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, who many of us call Uncle Olu Jacobs, in 1978. A small group of Nigerian classmates at the London Film School, including Adefolu, George, Femi Aloba, and I, teamed up for our final graduation project.

We wanted to turn Amadu Maddy’s novel “No Past, No Present, No Future” into our diploma film called “Trying Times.” We were young and excited to bring home proof of our training in cinema from that great school.

At that time, Olu Jacobs was a lively figure at the nearby Africa Centre in Covent Garden. From our first meeting, he made a lasting impression on me. He was a skilled, trained actor with a strong presence. He generously agreed to help with our student film without asking for money. His only request was that we feed him during our three-day shoot.

Amazing Actor

Because of his amazing performance, Trying Times got a spot in the Governors’ Screening. This was proof that we were on the right track.

Years later, I had one of the best moments of my career through M-Net’s New Directions project. This program aimed to boost African storytelling and helped shape modern African cinema. I was lucky to be the director of photography on Twins of the Rainforest, capturing Uncle Olu alongside his talented wife, Joke Silva.

Their on-screen chemistry as husband and wife was powerful. The camera never forgets. I will always remember the chance I had to capture that intense moment on 16mm film. The images I saw through that lens will stay in my mind forever. I will never forget his warm smile, that deep voice, and his strong desire to lift everyone around him, both cast and crew.

Bold Choices and Vision

It took a lot of courage and vision for Uncle Olu to leave a successful career abroad. He had built a great name in the British theatre, television, and international films, working on projects like Pirates with Roman Polanski. Still, he decided to come back home.

They do not make them like him anymore.

At a time when most filmmakers thought shooting on analogue video was crazy, he embraced the early Nollywood movement.

He faced every challenge and poured his talent and dedication into building an industry that would attract global attention. They do not make them like him anymore. Proudly from the beautiful hills of Egbaland in Abeokuta, Uncle Olu was made a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and received many lifetime achievement awards. But awards alone cannot show how great his legacy is: Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs is a true foundation of modern Nigerian screen performance.

Thank you, Uncle Olu, for appearing in Trying Times and Twins of the Rainforest and for teaching us how to truly serve the craft.

Sun re o. Goodnight, Uncle.

Tunde Kelani (TK)