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Joke Silva

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Joke Silva
MFR
Silva at the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Born1961
Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Other namesJoke Silva Jacobs
Alma materUniversity of Lagos
Occupation(s)Actress, director, and businesswoman
Years active1990– till date
Notable workWhite Waters . Women's Cot
SpouseOlu Jacobs
Awards2006 Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role . 2008Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role

Joke Silva (listenⓘ) MFR is a veteran Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman.[1]

In 1998, she had a major role, starring opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women. In 2006, she won "Best Actress in a Leading Role" at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in Women's Cot, and "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother in White Waters.

Silva is married to veteran actor Olu Jacobs. The couple founded and operate the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets, and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts where she serves as Director of Studies. She is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University.

On 29 September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria's National Honours, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.[2][3]

Early life

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Silva was born in Lagos, Nigeria, into a Saro/Amaro family of four children.[4] Her mother, the pioneering doctor Adebimbola Silva, died in July 2015.[5] Her father, Chief Emmanuel Afolabi Silva, was a lawyer,[6] and her great-grandfathers were the prominent Colonial Nigerians Charles Phillips and Samuel Herbert Pearse.[7]

Education

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Silva attended Holy Child College in Lagos.[4] A graduate of the University of Lagos and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Silva began her career in film in the early 1990s. At university she was part of a cultural group that included the playwright Bode Osanyin and the singer Stella Monye.[8] She took a year off from her studies, during which time she began working as an actress[6] before relocating to England where she studied Drama at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[4] Initially, her parents were opposed to Silva's decision to go into the theatre but they soon began to support her, happy at the success she made of her career.[9] During a slow period of her career, Silva returned to school, studying English at the University of Lagos.[4][6]

Career

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Earlier roles (1990–2004)

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Silva has starred in numerous films and television series in both the English and Yoruba languages.[10] One of her earliest roles was in the 1990 English television series Mind Bending.[11] In 1993, she appeared in Owulorojo, followed by Violated in 1996.[12] In 1998, she starred opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women, in which she portrayed Nene.[13] Author Finola Kerrigan noted that Silva stood out as an exceptional actress in the Nigerian film industry after mentioning her role.[14]

In 2002, Silva starred opposite Bimbo Akintola in Keeping Faith. Akintola later cited Silva, whom she refers to as "Aunty Joke", as a major career influence, adding, "Silva has done a lot, but it's not even about the things that she did, it's about the things she didn't realize that she did".[15] Also in 2002, Silva co-produced and starred in The Kingmaker with Olu Jacobs.[16] This was followed by roles in pictures such as A Husband's Wife (2003), Shylock (2004), and A Past Came Calling (2004).[17]

Critical success (2006–present)

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In 2006, Silva was awarded the "Best Actress in a Leading Role" award at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role in Women's Cot.[18][19] Later that year, Silva starred opposite Genevieve Nnaji in Mildred Okwo's action thriller 30 Days, which received 10 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.[20][21] She also narrated Jeta Amata's Anglo-Nigerian production The Amazing Grace,[22] which was shot in Calabar.[23] The film was lauded by critics, and was nominated for 11 Africa Movie Academy Awards.[24] The News noted Silva's "song-like voice, [which] provides insight to the actions".[23]

In 2007, Silva starred opposite Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Michael Okon and Fred Essien in Ndubuisi Okoh's To Love and to Hold.[25] Silva won a Best Supporting Actress award in 2008[26] for her "methodical portrayal of a grandmother" in White Waters (2007), though she was not at the ceremony to receive her award in person.[27] In a November 2008 interview, Silva professed that "whenever she had to play an evil character in a film, she would pray and use Jesus as her 'hedge'".[28] Silva is also the recipient of an EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art.[8]

In 2011, Silva starred alongside Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo and Lydia Forson in Kunle Afolayan's romantic comedy Phone Swap.[29] Lauded by the critics, and one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year,[30] it received four nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards, including a nomination for Best Nigerian Film. It also won the award for Achievement in Productions Design.[31] In 2013, Silva took to the stage to appear in the Thespian Family Theatre and Productions staging of the "Mad King of Ijudiya" at the Agip Hall of Muson Centre of Lagos at Christmas. Two shows were put up at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm on 21, 22, 28 and 29 December, which Vanguard described as a "rich blend of folklore, traditional dance and music that naturally transports the audience to a typical African village setting".[32]

United Nations Goodwill Ambassador

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In October 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime appointed Silva goodwill ambassador. In accordance with the UN policy of enlisting prominent figures in art, music, film, sport and literature to assist with their campaigns, her role was focused on her participation in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. Work fighting human trafficking was part of the "I Am Priceless" campaign, which had also received support from the Nigerian authorities. Silva's appointment was for a period of three years.[33][34]

Personal life

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Silva, with her husband Olu Jacobs at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

Silva is married to veteran actor Olu Jacobs and has two children. The couple met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos during the 21st Independence anniversary.[12]

Silva is Director of Studies at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, while her husband served as chairman.[17] Lufodo Academy is one of several assets the couple owns as part of the Lufodo Group, including Lufodo Productions, Lufodo Consult, and Lufodo Distribution. She has curated for the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Theatre, Film, Documentary and Poetry and the 2012 London Olympics,[8] and is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University.[11]

In addition to her work as an actress, Silva is a philanthropist and a strong supporter of women's emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress.[35]

On 29 September 2014, Silva was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria's national honors, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.[36] In September 2016, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador for AIICO Pension Managers Limited (APML).[37]

Silva, in the year 2020, led the campaign supporting ailing Nigerian actors soliciting for funds to pay for medical bills. She did that through the instance of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, which revealed plans to inaugurate health insurance schemes for its members.[38] In November 2021, Joke had an interview with Chude Jideonwo where she revealed that her husband Jacobs is battling with Dementia with Lewy bodies.[39] In 2022, she was appointed into Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team.

Selected filmography

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Television

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  • Battleground (2017–2019) as Mama Egba
  • The Olive (2021-2023) as Madam Elaine

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Inyang, Ifreke (29 November 2021). "I was blacklisted in Nollywood – Joke Silva opens up". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  2. ^ Okafor, Onna (12 March 2022). "Showmax Spotlights Nollywood Matriarch: Queen Joke Silva". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Joke Silva is Sturdy at 60 – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Okoye, Chinyere (14 May 2009). "On Set Joke Silva Divorces All". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  5. ^ "Photos from the burial of Joke Silva's mum". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Emeka, Mazi (26 August 2016). "PROFILE: The day Joke Silva charmed me". YNaija. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Abimbola Silva embraced a preventive approach to medicine – Oyinsan". pmnewsnigeria.com. 20 July 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b c "Nollywood Actress Joke Silva's Biography". Information Nigeria. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  9. ^ "My Life As A Medical Doctor- Abimbola Silva, Nigeria's Oldest Female Doctor". The Elites. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  10. ^ "Why I haven't been featuring in Yoruba movies!". The Vanguard. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  11. ^ a b Odunuga, Marya (22 January 2014). "7 Reasons Why We Love Joke Silva". Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  12. ^ a b "10 Things You Don't Know About Joke Silva". Naij.com. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  13. ^ "The Secret Laughter of Women". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  14. ^ Kerrigan 2010, p. 87.
  15. ^ "How Joke Silva influenced my career' – Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  16. ^ Foubiri 2015, p. 351.
  17. ^ a b "JOKE Silva – Director of Studies Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts". Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Archived from the original on 30 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  18. ^ "AMAA 2006 – List of Winners". Africa Movie Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  19. ^ Tell. Tell Communications Limited. 2006. p. 48.
  20. ^ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2008". Africa Movie Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  21. ^ "List of Nominees for AMAA 2008". ScreenAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2010. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  22. ^ Haynes 2016, p. 325.
  23. ^ a b The News. Independent Communications Network Limited. 2007. pp. 62–3.
  24. ^ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2007". Africa Movie Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  25. ^ "The Janidogo the continued adventure from 'To Love and To Hold'". Whsmith. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  26. ^ Oluikpe, Nkasiobi. "Artistes in Big Dream for 2009". AllAfrica Global Media. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
  27. ^ Tell. Tell Communications Limited. 2008.
  28. ^ Bender 2012, p. 112.
  29. ^ "Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Lydia Forson & Chika Okpala star in Kunle Afolayan's "Phone Swap" – View the Teaser". Bella Naija. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  30. ^ "Kunle Afolayan dedicates new movie 'Phone Swap' to Sam Loco Efe". Nigeria Movies Network. 10 March 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  31. ^ "AMAA Nominees and Winners 2012". Africa Movie Academy Awards – Africa Film Academy. AMA Awards. 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  32. ^ "Joke Silva, Akin Lewis for Mad King of Ijudiya". Vanguard. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  33. ^ "Veteran Actress Joke Silva, MI Made UN Ambassadors". Nigeriafilms.com. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  34. ^ "I Am Priceless Campaign". UNODC. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  35. ^ Aka, Jubril Olabode (2012). Nigerian Women of Distinction, Honour and Exemplary Presidential Qualities: Equal Opportunities For All Genders (White, Black or Coloured People). Trafford Publishing. pp. 237–. ISBN 978-1-4669-1555-8.
  36. ^ Eze, Chidinma (22 September 2014). "Joke Silva 'feels honoured' by MFR award". Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  37. ^ "AIICO Pension Managers unveils Joke Silva as brand ambassador". Vanguard. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  38. ^ "Joke Silva leads AGN to end begging for ailing actors". Vanguard. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  39. ^ Aminu, Ado (24 November 2021). "Actor, Joke Silva breaks silence on husband's absence on #WithChude". Chude Jideonwo. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  40. ^ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0798364/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm [user-generated source]
  41. ^ "Shirley Frimpong-Manso's 'Potato Potahto' makes it to Netflix - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  42. ^ Frimpong-Manso, Shirley (15 December 2019), Potato Potahto (Comedy), O. C. Ukeje, Joselyn Dumas, Joke Silva, Kemi Lala Akindoju, 19 April Entertainment, Ascend Studios, Lufodo Productions, retrieved 3 February 2021

Bibliography

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