Joke Silva | |
|---|---|
 Silva at the2017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | |
| Born | 1961 (age 63–64) Lagos,Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Other names | Joke Silva Jacobs |
| Alma mater | University of Lagos |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, director, and businesswoman |
| Years active | 1990– till date |
| Notable work | White Waters . Women's Cot |
| Spouse | Olu Jacobs |
| Awards | 2006Africa Movie Academy Award forBest Actress in a Leading Role . 2008Africa Movie Academy Award forBest 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 oppositeColin Firth andNia Long in the British-Canadian filmThe Secret Laughter of Women. In 2006, she won "Best Actress in a Leading Role" at the2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance inWomen's Cot, and "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" at the4th Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008 for her performance as a grandmother inWhite Waters.
Silva is married to veteran actorOlu Jacobs. The couple founded and operate the Lufodo Group, a media corporation that consists of film production, distribution assets, and theLufodo Academy of Performing Arts where she serves as Director of Studies. She is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association withKwara State University.
On 29 September 2014, Silva received recognition as a Member of theOrder of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria'sNational Honours, at the International Conference Centre inAbuja.[2][3]
Silva was born inLagos, Nigeria, into aSaro/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 NigeriansCharles Phillips andSamuel Herbert Pearse.[7]
Silva attendedHoly Child College in Lagos.[4]A graduate of theUniversity of Lagos and theWebber 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 theWebber 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, studyingEnglish at theUniversity of Lagos.[4][6]
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 seriesMind Bending.[11]In 1993, she appeared inOwulorojo, followed byViolated in 1996.[12] In 1998, she starred oppositeColin Firth andNia Long in the British-Canadian filmThe 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 oppositeBimbo Akintola inKeeping 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 inThe Kingmaker withOlu Jacobs.[16] This was followed by roles in pictures such asA Husband's Wife (2003),Shylock (2004), andA Past Came Calling (2004).[17]
In 2006, Silva was awarded the "Best Actress in a Leading Role" award at the2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her role inWomen's Cot.[18][19]Later that year, Silva starred oppositeGenevieve Nnaji inMildred Okwo's action thriller30 Days, which received 10 nominations at theAfrica Movie Academy Awards in 2008.[20][21] She also narratedJeta Amata's Anglo-Nigerian productionThe Amazing Grace,[22] which was shot inCalabar.[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 oppositeKate Henshaw-Nuttal, Michael Okon and Fred Essien in Ndubuisi Okoh'sTo Love and to Hold.[25] Silva won a Best Supporting Actress award in 2008[26] for her "methodical portrayal of a grandmother" inWhite 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 fromAfrican Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art.[8]
In 2011, Silva starred alongsideNse Ikpe Etim,Wale Ojo andLydia Forson inKunle Afolayan's romantic comedyPhone Swap.[29] Lauded by the critics, and one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year,[30] it received four nominations at the8th Africa Movie Academy Awards, including a nomination forBest 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, whichVanguard described as a "rich blend offolklore, traditional dance and music that naturally transports the audience to a typical African village setting".[32]
In October 2012, theUnited 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]
Silva is married to veteran actorOlu Jacobs and has two children. The couple met in 1981 at theNational 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 the2012 London Olympics,[8] and is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association withKwara 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 theOrder of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria's national honors, at the International Conference Centre inAbuja.[36] In September 2016, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador forAIICO 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 theActors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, which revealed plans to inaugurate health insurance schemes for its members.[38] In November 2021, Joke had an interview withChude Jideonwo where she revealed that her husband Jacobs is battling withDementia with Lewy bodies.[39] In 2022, she was appointed into Tinubu/Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team.
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