Veteran filmmaker, Opa Williams, has paid tribute to late legendary actor, Olu Jacobs, recalling the profound impact the screen icon had on his career and describing him as a “gentle giant” whose humility and humanity transcended his towering reputation.
Williams, in a tribute titled “Rapture: A Tribute to a Gentle Giant,” recounted how Jacobs became part of Onome, his first Nollywood project, after the filmmaker and his creative team took the bold step of approaching the revered actor for a major role.
According to Williams, the decision to cast Jacobs followed the success of his earlier films, Tears for Love and Without Love, which he said were driven by a commitment to genuine storytelling and emotional narratives.
He recalled that the creative team, comprising talents such as Keppy Ekpeyong, Fred Amata, Chico Ejiro and Edi Lawani, subjected their scripts to rigorous conferences and reviews before taking them to the screen.
Williams said the team eventually conceived Onome as a deeper exploration of devotion and carefully considered the actors who could best embody its characters.
For the role of Dafe Fregene, a benevolent philanthropist who rescues a dedicated waitress, Williams said Jacobs was the unanimous choice.
However, the filmmaker admitted that the team was apprehensive about approaching the veteran actor, given his distinguished career in the era of classic filmmaking and his collaborations with internationally recognised actors.
“We set out to see him at his place on Awolowo Way in Ikeja,” Williams recalled, noting that Jacobs listened patiently to their proposal but insisted on reading the screenplay before making a decision.
He said Chico Ejiro led the mission, while Keppy Ekpeyong helped to pave the way for the meeting with the veteran actor.
Williams said Jacobs eventually accepted the role but made one condition clear before discussions about his fee: every artist and crew member on the set must be treated with utmost respect.
The filmmaker said Jacobs subsequently starred in Onome alongside Sam Loco Efe, Chris Erakpotobor and Uche Macaulay.
Williams said his fears about working with such a highly celebrated actor disappeared once production began, as Jacobs displayed remarkable humility and concern for everyone on set.
“On set, Uncle Olu demonstrated a profound humility that completely stripped away every ounce of anxiety we had carried,” he said.
“He never complained. He never pressured anyone. He was always smiling, encouraging, and deeply concerned for the welfare of others before himself.”
Williams described Jacobs as a soft-spoken and generous man whose conduct on the set provided lessons that went far beyond acting.
He said his encounter with the veteran actor became a defining experience in his career, adding that the values Jacobs demonstrated during the production had continued to influence him.
“Then, I was a student; today, I am a teacher following his doctrine,” Williams said.
The filmmaker expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have worked with Jacobs, describing his participation in Onome as an honour and recalling that it was the actor’s first Nollywood project.
“Uncle OJ lives in my heart forever. Uncle OJ lives on,” Williams said.
