Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva Jacobs has once again, lamented about the deteriorating health of her husband, Olu Jacobs.
She stated that it has not been easy managing the health challenges of her husband over the years.
Joke Da Silva, who spoke during an interview with actress Nancy Isime, stressed that her husband’s failing health has changed him significantly, saying; “Olu Jacobs is no longer the man she walked down the aisle with 37 years ago.
“It hasn’t been easy. There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality. It is like the person I married, 80 per cent of the time, is no longer there.
“But the thing is this: when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband.
“He was practically my best friend. However, in spite of his health challenge, I have not stopped loving him.
“The husband I knew is no longer there for me. This man that is here is someone I still love, but love in a different way.”
In November 2021, Joke disclosed in an interview with Chude Jideonwo that Olu Jacobs was suffering from dementia and it has been hard on her and the entire family.
According to her; “He is dealing with issues and it is been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with Lewy body.
“It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson type of disease, it affects the brain and affects the person… first time I’m saying this publicly…. That is what we have been dealing with. But the thing is, it is hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and it is hard on us family members as well. We have gone through it over the past couple of years but we thank God,” she further explained.
Olu Jacobs and Joke Da Silva met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos during Nigeria’s 21st Independence anniversary.