Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva has opened up on marital struggles with her husband, actor Olu Jacobs. Silva, in an interview with popular Nigerian media personality and actress, Nancy Isime, revealed that Olu Jacobs’ ailment has changed him.

Speaking on how her husband’s battle with dementia has affected their relationship, the actress reflected on their early years together.

Joke Silva said: “It hasn’t been easy. There was a point of acceptance for me that everything happening is reality and it is like the person I married, 80 percent of the time is no longer there.

“But the thing is this, when he was there, he was an incredible father to his children and an amazing husband, he was practically my best friend.

“The husband I knew is no longer there for me, but this man that is here is someone I still love.”

The story has been told of how charismatic actor Olu Jacobs arrived late to his wedding, but his wife and actress Joke Silva shared more information in an interview last year.

The 60-year-old actress opened up on their love story in a documentary on her husband’s life and career produced by Femi Odugbemi.

Joke Silva detailed how they met on a production set and the journey to their love affair.

“It was just before the celebration of Nigeria’s 21st anniversary. Ms Edith Enem was the artistic director of the National Theatre at the time, and they wanted to put up a production of ‘Jero’s Metamorphosis’,” she recalled.

According to her, the set was abuzz with this man who was coming from England called Olu Jacobs and was going to play the lead character, Jero. She recalled that with the excitement they spoke about him, she looked forward to meeting him (Olu Jacobs).

She said: “We were in rehearsals one day at the main bowl…and I was told to go call Ms Enem to come and take a look at what we had rehearsed. And as I opened the curtain, I just heard this incredible voice that went ‘Wow! This is the standard of the woman I’m going to marry.’ And I’m like what kind of standard line is that, and I looked him up and down and, I thought it, what rubbish.

“But, he came over to rehearsals and was just such a wonderful person to work with. He realised he had made a faux pas and tried to get in my good graces after that. And we became excellent friends,” Joke Silva said.