Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw has condemned the actions of individuals who shared false information regarding the death of veteran actor Olu Jacobs. Rumors of Jacobs’ death had circulated on social media platforms without any official confirmation. Henshaw, who also serves as the Director of Communications for the Actors Guild of Nigeria, expressed her dismay at the spread of the false news, emphasizing the harmful impact it has on the actor and his family.
Addressing the issue on X.com, Henshaw called out those who repeatedly post rest-in-peace (RIP) messages for individuals who are still alive, and highlighted the detrimental effect this has on the subject and their loved ones. She urged people to desist from such behavior and to respect the privacy and well-being of public figures, such as Uncle Olu Jacobs. She firmly asserted, “Stop, for goodness sake! Uncle Olu Jacobs is alive!”
In response to inquiries regarding the source of the false information, Kate Henshaw revealed that some individuals had even gone as far as contacting Olu Jacobs’ wife, Joke, in relation to the unfounded claims of his passing. This intrusion into the actor’s personal life further underscores the unscrupulous nature of spreading unsubstantiated rumors.
Additionally, the veteran actor’s well-being was confirmed by Nigerian columnist Betty Irabor, who took to social media to dispel the false reports and reassure the public about Olu Jacobs’ current health status. She categorically stated, “Olu Jacob is well and alive. Please ignore all rumors of his passing. He is alive, please.”
The distressing spread of false news about Olu Jacobs’ demise is not a singular occurrence. It was noted that a similar incident transpired in June 2020, where the actor was falsely reported to have passed away. At that time, Monalisa Chinda-Coker, the spokesperson of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, rebuffed the erroneous reports and reasserted the actor’s well-being, indicating that such false information can cause undue distress to the person and their family.
The recurrence of baseless death rumors, along with the consequential emotional toll they carry, underscores the need for responsible and verified information dissemination, especially concerning public figures. It is imperative for social media users to exercise discretion and refrain from participating in the dissemination of unverified news.
The latest episode of false death reports surrounding Olu Jacobs has prompted industry stakeholders, led by Kate Henshaw, to challenge the incessant spread of unfounded rumors and to advocate for greater sensitivity and respect in addressing the well-being of public figures. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible social media usage and the adverse effects of unsubstantiated news on individuals and their families.
