Joke Silva
Joke Silva, MFR (born 29 September 1961) is a Nigerian actress, director, and businesswoman. A graduate of the University of Lagos and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Joke Silva began her career in film in the early 1990s. 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". Joke Silva is married to 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. Joke Silva is Director of Studies at the latter. Joke Silva is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with the Kwara State University. On 29 September 2014, Joke 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. Early life. Joke Silva was born in Lagos into an Amaro family of four children. Her mother, Adebimbola Silva, a pioneering doctor, died in July 2015. Her father, Emmanuel Afolabi Silva was a lawyer. Joke Silva attended Holy Child College in Lagos. At university she was part of a cultural group that included the playwright Bode Osanyin and the singer Stella Monye. Joke Silva took a year off from her studies, during which time she began working as an actress. Silva then relocated to England, studying drama at the Webber Douglas  Academy of Dramatic Art in London. 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. During a slow period of her career, she returned to school, studying English at the University of Lagos. Career. Earlier roles (1990–2004). Joke Silva has starred in numerous films and television series in both the English and Yoruba languages. One of her earliest roles was in the 1990 English film "Mind Bending". In 1993 she appeared in "Owulorojo", followed by "Violated" in 1995. 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. Author Finola Kerrigan noted than Silva stood out as an exceptional actress in the Nigerian film industry after mentioning her role. In 2002, Joke 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". Also in 2002, Silva co-produced and starred in "The Kingmaker" with Olu Jacobs. This was followed by roles in pictures such as "A Husband's Wife" (2003), "Shylock" (2004), and "A Past Came Calling" (2004). Critical success (2006–present). In 2006, Joke 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". 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. She also narrated  Jeta Amata's Anglo-Nigerian production "The Amazing Grace", which was shot in Calabar. The film was lauded by critics, and was nominated for 11 African Movie Academy Awards. "The News" noted Silva's "song-like voice, [which] provides insight to the actions". In 2007, joke Silva starred opposite Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Michael Okon and Fred Essien in Ndubuisi Okoh's "To Love and to Hold". Silva won a Best Supporting Actress award in 2008 for her "methodical portrayal of a grandmother" in "White Waters" (2007), though she was not at the ceremony to receive her award in person. In  a November 2008 interview, Joke Silva professed that "whenever she had to play an evil character in a film, she would pray and use Jesus as her 'hedge'". Silva is also the recipient of an EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art. In 2011, Joke Silva starred alongside Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo and Lydia Forson in Kunle Afolayan's romantic comedy "Phone Swap". Lauded by the critics, and one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year, 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. 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 on at 3 pm and 6 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". United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. In October 2012, the United Nations  Office on Drugs and Crime appointed Joke Silva a goodwill ambassador. In accordance with the UN policy of enlisting prominent figures in art, music, film, sport and literature to assist with their campaigns, Joke Silva's 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. Personal life. Joke 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. Joke Silva is Director of Studies at the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, while her husband chairs the school. Lufodo Academy is one of several assets the couple own as part of the Lufodo Group, including Lufodo Productions, Lufodo Consult, and Lufodo Distribution. Joke Silva has curated for the Bank of Industry (BOI) in Theatre, Film, Documentary and Poetry and the 2012 London Olympics, and is also the pioneer managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University. In addition to her work as an actress , Joke Silva is a philanthropist and a strong supporter of women's emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress. On 29 September 2014, Joke Silva was honored as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of Nigeria's national honours, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja. In September 2016, she was unveiled as the brand ambassador for AIICO Pension Managers Limited (APML). Joke Silva, in the year 2020, lead the campaign against sick Nollywood actors soliciting for funds to pay for their medical bills. Joke Silva did that through the instance of the  Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, which revealed plans to inaugurate health insurance schemes for its members. In November 2021 Joke had an interview with Chude Jideonwo where she revealed that her husband Olu Jacobs is battling with Dementia and Lewy body.