Nollywood actress Sola Sobowale has paid tribute to late veteran actor Olu Jacobs, describing him as the mentor who trained and guided her during her career in the Nigerian film industry.
Sobowale spoke on Wednesday at the Night of Tribute held in honour of Jacobs at Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos.
Jacobs, born Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 84.
Reflecting on his influence on her career, Sobowale said audiences often praised her acting ability without knowing the person who helped nurture her talent.
“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,” she said.
The actress, popularly known as ‘Toyin Tomato’ after her character in Wale Adenuga’s television series Super Story, also recalled Jacobs’ approach to correcting and advising her.
“Anytime I bring my wahala, he has this, ‘Sola, No, No, No,’” she said, while demonstrating the hand gesture associated with the late actor’s roles.
Sobowale said Jacobs’ gesture was not merely an expression of disapproval but often conveyed caution and advice, particularly when addressing someone he considered intelligent.
Another veteran actor, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, also shared memories of Jacobs during the tribute.
In a video that circulated on Thursday, Salami recalled meeting Jacobs for the first time in 1997 while working on a film script titled Okunfa.
“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,” he recalled.
Salami said he contacted Jacobs and was asked to send the script. After forwarding it, he asked when he could visit the actor to discuss the project.
According to Salami, Jacobs instead offered to visit him.
“Don’t worry, I will come,” Salami quoted Jacobs as saying.
“And he came,” he added.
The veteran actor said Jacobs read the script and made two contributions that significantly improved 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,” Salami said.
Salami also urged Jacobs’ children to preserve their father’s legacy by ensuring his name continues to be remembered.
He appealed to them to keep “immortalising his name, so we won’t forget him for life”.
The Night of Tribute brought together members of Jacobs’ family, friends and colleagues from the Nigerian film industry to celebrate his life and career.
Among those who attended the event were Jide Kosoko, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kate Henshaw, Afeez Oyetoro, popularly known as Saka, Norbert Young, Femi Adebayo and Funke Akindele.
