Joke Silva, an experienced Nollywood actress, claimed that because she and Olu Jacobs were 19 years apart in age, her father disapproved of their union.
During a recent visit on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast, the actor reportedly revealed this.
In her early days as an actress, Silva recalls meeting Jacobs while looking for advice. Her sister gave the movie star her blessing, stating, “Joke, this is the man to take to daddy.”
The movie star revealed that although they had a tight bond, her mother had initially backed the union despite her father’s initial opposition because of their age difference.
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Jacobs, who was already a well-known actress, urged her to seek rigorous theatrical instruction rather than a university degree in Theatre Arts, according to the 63-year-old movie star, strengthening their bond.
She eventually married her husband because she fell in love with him, Silva said, adding that Jacobs suggested she maintain her maiden name after marriage in order to save her reputation.
“In 1984, we were married,” she remarked. It was 1985; I was 24 years old. He was perhaps 19 or 20 years my senior. Since I was in love with him, I agreed. That’s how easy it is. He was just a really beautiful person.
One of my sisters was home when I returned home, which I believe was in 1984. She pulled me aside when we first met and told me, “Joke, this is the man to take to Daddy.” It was Olawoye Toyin.
“This is the person they know me with,” my mother said, despite my dad’s problems with his age. Her parents also had that kind of age difference. Therefore, it wasn’t big.
It was Jacobs who suggested against changing my name. He remarked that my brand had already begun to take shape before we ever met and that altering it might cause me issues because he recognized the significance of branding.
“We maintained Joke Silva as the brand name, and everyone connected to the brand knew I was Mrs. Jacobs.”
