Joke Silva a veteran Nigerian actress, director, business woman, producer, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. She was born on 29th September 1961 in Lagos state into a humble family of four children. Her mother, Adebimbola Silva, an earliest female doctor, now deceased and her father was a lawyer.
After completing her elementary and secondary education, at Holy Child College in Lagos, Joke went to the University of Lagos where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language. She later on proceeded to study drama in Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Joke’s Early life
At university she was played a very active part of a cultural group that included the playwright Bode Osanyin and the singer Stella Monye. We learnt that her parents were initially opposed to her move to go into the theatre acts, but when they found out that happiness and success were in her line of career, they supported her.
She began a career in film in the early 1990s where she featured in the mind bending as her first movie.
As far back as 1998 when the Nigerian film industry was at its low ebb, she had a major role starred opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film and The Secret Laughter of Women,
Joke Earlier Roles From (1990–2004)
Silva has made many appearances 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 featured opposite Colin Firth and Nia Long in the British-Canadian film The Secret Laughter of Women, in which she portrayed Nene. This remarkable performance made Author Finola Kerrigan to describe Silva as an exceptional actress in the Nigerian film industry after mentioning her role.
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”.
Also in 2002, Silva co-produced and co-directed in The Kingmaker with her husband, Olu Jacobs. This was followed by roles in pictures such as A Husband’s Wife (2003), Shylock (2004), and A Past Came Calling (2004) among others.
JOKE’S AWARDS
Silva Joke has received many awards. They are:
In 2006, she won “Best Actress in a Leading Role” at the 2nd Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in Women’s Cot.
In 2008 named “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” at the 4th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance as a grandmother in White Waters.
On 29 September 2014, Joke Silva was honoured with Nigeria’s National Honours Awards as a member of the Order of the Federal Republic, one of the Nigeria’s highest National Honours Awards, at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Silva is also the recipient of an EMOTAN Award from African Independent Television (AIT) and the SOLIDRA Award for Visual Art.
She also won the award for Achievement in Production Design.
In September 2016 she was named the brand Ambassador for AIICO Pension ManagersLimited (APML).
Silva is married to veteran actor Olu Jacobs. And their marriage is blessed with two children. We learnt that the couple met in 1981 at the National Theatre, Lagos during the 21st Independence anniversary.
The couple founded and operated the Lufodo Group covering film production and distribution assets and the Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, where Joke is Director of Studies Olu Jacobs the Chairman. She is also the pioneering managing director of Malete Film Village, in association with Kwara State University.
Her numerous brilliant appearances have received more than 10 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
United Nations Goodwill Ambassador
In October 2012, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime appointed Joke Silva a goodwill ambassador. In line with the UN laid down policy of appointing prominent figures in art, music, film, sport and literature to assist with their campaigns, Silva’s role was to focus in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. To achieve this laudable objective, “I Am Priceless” was launched, and the campaign had received support from the Nigerian authorities and her appointment was for a period of three years.
As Philanthropist, Silva is a strong supporter of women’s emancipation and empowerment, contributing to their education, training and progress and eradication of poverty from African soil.
Joke’s Net Worth
Joke Silva’s net worth is well over $10 million dollars. More grace to your elbow.