Precious
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A lady who has earned so much respect and prestige among fans and colleagues.
She is a Nigerian citizen.
She is a Nigerian actress.
She is a mother of 2.
She is a Yoruba lady.
Her name is Ajoke Silva Jacobs popularly known as Joke Silva, a veteran and uber-talented Nigerian actress, producer, educator, director and businesswoman.
Joke Silva was born on September 29, 1961 in Lagos State in the South Western part of Nigeria. She is currently 62 years old. She is from a family of four.
Her mother, the pioneering Doctor Adebimbola Silva, died in July 2015 while her father, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi Silva, was a lawyer, and her great- grandfathers were the prominent Colonial Nigerians Charles Phillips and Samuel Herbert Pearse.
Joke Silva attended her Secondary School education in Holy Child College, Lagos State where she obtained her West African Senior School Certificate.
She thereafter proceeded to the University of Lagos and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Language.
While still in the University, she was part of a cultural group that included the playwright Bode Osanyin and the singer Stella Monye. She took a year off from her studies and joined the Nigerian movie industry before relocating to England to study Drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
After completing her studies in London, Joke Silva returned to Lagos, Nigeria to complete her studies where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language from the University of Lagos.
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Joke Silva joined the Nigerian movie industry professionally in 1990 and featured in the English television series “Mind Bending”. In 1993, she appeared in Owulorojo, followed by Violated in 1996.
In 2006, she was awarded the “Best Actress in a Leading Role” award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in “Women’s Cot”.
In a November 2008 interview, Joke Silva professed that whenever she had to play an èvil character in a film, she would pray and use Jesus as her ‘hedge’. She is also the recipient of an EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art.
In 2011, she starred alongside Nse Ikpe-Etim, Wale Ojo and Lydia Forson in Kunle Afolayan’s romantic comedy movie titled “Phone Swap”.
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The film was lauded by critics and it was one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The film received four nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards, including a nomination for Best Nigerian Film.
In October 2012, she was appointed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime as Goodwill ambassador.
In 2014, Joke Silva was honoured by the Nigerian Federal Government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) which happens to be the highest award and honor given to a celebrity who has contributed immensely to the economy growth and development of the country.
In addition to her work as an actress, Joke Silva is a philanthropist and a strong supporter of women’s emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress.
Joke Silva is very careful when chosen movie scripts, so as not to tarnish her good image. She is one of those Nollywood actresses that are scandal free. She has never played any adult or nude scene in movie and this has earned her so much respect and prestige among fans and colleagues. She is an inspiration to many upcoming Nollywood actresses looking to achieve similar longevity in Nigeria’s movie industry.
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She has acted alongside with Nigerian actors and actresses like Olu Jacobs, Onyeka Onwenu, Bimbo Akintola, Wale Ojo, Bob Manuel, Bukky Ajayi, Zack Orji, Nse-Ikpe Etim, Zainab Balogun, to mention a few.
She is known for 30 Days (2006), White Waters (2007), Potato Potahto (2017) and Light in the Dark (2020).
In 1986, at age 25, Joke Silva got married to veteran Nigerian actor, Olu Jacobs and the union is blessed with two children namely Olusoji Jacobs and Olugbenga Jacobs.
The couple met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos during the 21st Independence anniversary. They dated for 5 years before they got married. The couple have been married for 37 years but have known each other for 42 years.
Joke Silva is the Director of Studies at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, Lagos, while her husband, Olu Jacobs serves as Chairman. The Lufodo Academy is an educational institution, raising the standards of acting in stage, TV and film Productions.
In November 2021, in an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Joke Silva revealed that her husband, Olu Jacobs is battling with Dementia with Lewy bodies. She also said she still loves her husband despite illness.
I celebrate you, Mummy Joke.
Joshua Lekhithah
#TheJL
