Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva is mourning the demise of her elder brother, John Olabiyi Silva, who died on August 29, 2025, at the age of 72.
In a post on her Instagram page on Thursday, Joke Silva confirmed the news and paid respect to her late brother using sentimental words that captured their close relationship.
“With acceptance of God’s Sovereign will, we announce the call to the glory of my dear brother, John Olabiyi Silva … Long John Silver…Bros B…Uncle B…my easy-goingbrother. Rest in peace. January 22nd, 1953–August 29th, 2025,” she wrote.
The passing of her brother coincides with other personal difficulties she has been dealing with, chief among them being the care of her husband, Olu Jacobs, who has been suffering from dementia in recent years.
Her fans and coworkers swiftly sent condolence messages after learning of her brother’s death.
Even though he was not as well-known as his sister, John Olabiyi Silva was cherished by his family and friends, as seen by his nicknames, “Long John Silva,” “Bros B,” and “Uncle B.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
