Veteran actor Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, has died at the age of 84.

His family announced his death on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in a statement shared on Instagram. His wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, shared a photograph of Jacobs alongside the announcement, while their son, Olusoji Jacobs, also shared news of his passing.

The family statement identified Jacobs as a husband, father, grandfather and uncle, and referred to him as “The Lion of Lufodo.” It listed his dates of birth and death as July 11, 1942 – September 16, 2026.

The family also appealed to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn his death.

Jacobs leaves behind a career that spanned British theatre and television, international film and several decades of Nigerian cinema. Before becoming one of Nollywood’s most recognisable actors, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Photo: Instagram/@olusojijacobs

His early professional career included appearances in British television productions and international films. Among his film credits were The Dogs of War, Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend and Roman Polanski’s Pirates. His work during this period established an international dimension to a career that would later become closely associated with Nigerian cinema.

After returning to Nigeria, Jacobs continued working in television and film. He appeared in the NTA detective series The Third Eye and went on to build an extensive body of work in Nollywood, appearing in numerous productions over several decades.

His career extended beyond acting. Together with Joke Silva, Jacobs co-founded the Lufodo Group, which includes the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts. Their work through the group covered film production and training within the performing arts, giving the couple a role in both the creative and educational sides of Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Jacobs and Silva were married and had two children. Their professional partnership also became a notable part of their contribution to Nigeria’s performing arts.

Over the course of his career, Jacobs received several honours for his work. He received the Industry Merit Award for outstanding achievement in acting at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and was also recognised with a lifetime achievement award at the Africa International Film Festival.

Photo: Instagram/@olujacobs

In 2011, he received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) from the Nigerian government in recognition of his contribution to the arts.

In his later years, Jacobs largely withdrew from public life. In 2021, Joke Silva disclosed publicly that her husband was living with Lewy body dementia, a progressive condition. His reduced public appearances subsequently led to several false reports of his death. In 2024, another widely circulated report claiming that he had died was dismissed by his family.

Jacobs’ death on September 16, 2026, was confirmed by his family. The family has not disclosed a cause of death in its announcement and has asked the public to respect its privacy during the mourning period.

He celebrated his 84th birthday on July 11, 2026, just over two months before his death.

From his early work in British theatre and television to international film and his decades in Nigerian cinema, Jacobs built a career across multiple generations of screen entertainment. His work in acting, production and performing-arts education made him a longstanding figure in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Ayra Starr to Headline 2026 NFL London Game Nigerian singer Ayra Starr has been announced as the halftime performer for the 2026 NFL London Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The NFL made the announcement on Thursday, August 27, confirming that Ayra Starr will take the stage at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, October 11. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 p.m. British Summer Time (9:30 a.m. ET).

Her booking comes with a notable first. The NFL says Ayra Starr will become the first Afrobeats artist to headline a halftime show at one of its games.

Photo: Instagram/@complex_uk

She is also among seven artists selected to perform during halftime across the NFL’s 2026 International Games, presented by American Express. This year’s international programme will see regular-season games played in seven countries across four continents.

Ayra Starr reacted to the announcement on social media, describing the London performance as a dream come true.

“I am so excited to perform at the NFL halftime show in London. London is one of my favorite places in the world and to bring Starrgirl to the NFL global stage is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait to see you guys there!”

The performance comes less than two months after the release of her third studio album, Starrgirl, which arrived on August 14. The 16-track album features collaborations with artists including ZAYN, Leon Thomas and Wizkid.

That timing gives the singer an opportunity to introduce Starrgirl to an audience far beyond her usual music listeners. The NFL’s London games attract fans from different backgrounds, making the halftime stage another major international platform for her music.

Photo: Instagram/@ayrastarr

The league also pointed to Ayra Starr’s growing profile outside Nigeria. According to the NFL, she has accumulated more than seven billion global streams and over one billion views on YouTube since beginning her career in 2021. She has also earned two Grammy nominations for Best African Music Performance, won the BET Award for Best International Act and performed at Glastonbury Festival.

Tim Tubito, the NFL’s senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, said the decision was influenced partly by the strong connection between African music and London, as well as Ayra Starr’s relationship with audiences in the city.

The October game is part of the NFL’s biggest international schedule. The league will stage regular-season games in London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Paris and Rio de Janeiro in 2026. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to host two London games, while Wembley Stadium will host another.

The halftime show will be broadcast live in the UK on free-to-air Channel 5 and Sky Sports.

With her October appearance, Ayra Starr will bring Afrobeats to one of the NFL’s biggest international stages and become the first artist from the genre to headline an NFL game halftime show.

Diana Eneje is engaged to businessman Pascal Godwin, confirming a relationship that had remained largely outside the public eye despite years of speculation about her love life. The 24-year-old Nigerian fashion influencer and content creator announced the engagement on Instagram on Friday, August 21, sharing photographs from the proposal and captioning the post, “my forever.”

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

Godwin proposed in Cape Town, South Africa, where the couple marked the occasion with an elaborate outdoor setup surrounded by vineyards and mountain views. The proposal featured a large white balloon arch, illuminated letters spelling “WILL YOU MARRY ME,” white flowers and tall glass candles. Colourful smoke cannons were also used during the proposal, while the platform beneath the couple carried the words “Forever STARTS HERE!”

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

For the occasion, Eneje wore a brown strapless, floor-length gown with structured pleating through the body, cut-out details at the front and a flowing side train. She paired the dress with red-bottom heels and wore her blonde braids in a high pinned-up style, with curls framing her face. Her accessories included simple earrings, a dainty bracelet and a silver sparkle anklet.

Godwin kept his outfit simple for the proposal, wearing a white short-sleeved button-down shirt with dark trousers and sunglasses, and completing the look with Louis Vuitton trainers.

Photo: Instagram/@dianaeneje

The engagement ring featured a large marquise-cut centre diamond set on a pavé band, paired with a second diamond ring. The centre stone had a long, narrow shape, while the band was slim.

The engagement also marks the first major public confirmation of Eneje’s relationship with Godwin. The influencer had kept her romantic life private even as she and Godwin were linked through online rumours. Occasional clips of the pair together had circulated on social media, including one post that was reportedly shared and later taken down, but neither had publicly confirmed the relationship before the announcement.

Eneje had also previously been the subject of dating rumours involving Afrobeats singer Rema, although that relationship was never confirmed by either party.

The announcement attracted congratulatory messages from fans, friends and fellow celebrities. Neither Eneje nor Godwin had disclosed further details about when their relationship began or announced wedding plans.