The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has debunked rumours that Nollywood film star Olu Jacobs is dead.
News About Nigeria reports that Emeka Rollas, the AGN president, described the claims as “false news” when contacted by a reliable source on Sunday.
He said that the veteran Nollywood actor, Oludotun Jacobs, is alive and well, contrary to rumours circulating on social media.
Betty Irabor, a Nigerian columnist, disclosed this in a message uploaded to her social media account on Sunday.
“Olu Jacob is well and alive.. please ignore all rumours of his passing. He is alive please,” she wrote.
The rumours of Jacobs’ death had earlier spread online without official confirmation.
This is not the first time such news about the veteran actor has trend online.
In June 2020, a similar report trended on Twitter (now X) and Facebook.
The then spokesperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, later debunked the news.
In August 2022, there was also rumour concerning the actor’s death.
His wife, Joke, later debunked the news and threatened legal action against those spreading the information.
Another actress, Kate Henshaw, has refuted rumours circulating about the demise of legendary actor, Olu Jacobs.
Henshaw strongly criticised the harmful practice of spreading false death reports concerning Jacobs, expressing her dismay at the recurring nature of such rumours, which unnecessarily distress the actor and his family.
Henshaw urged people to verify information before sharing and to respect the privacy and dignity of living individuals.
Speaking last year, his wife, Joke Silva, said Jacob’s ailment had significantly changed her man.