By Henry Akubuiro
Paradigm City Publishing has condemned the propagation of fake news by Nigerians on social media. In a statement signed by Dr Funmi Gaji, Managing Editor, Paradigm City Publishing, said the company was dissatisfied that the purveyors of fake news singled out Olu Jacobs’ family to be subjected to the unverified news of his transition.
“Paradigm City Publishing Nigeria condemns this abhorrent act totally and denounces the rabid fixation on clicks and likes that has triggered the pandemic of fake news. We declare unwavering solidarity with the family of Olu Jacobs. We wish them strength and grace as they navigate this season,” said Gaji.
He noted that Jacobs’ legacy remained an enduring and unquantifiable gift to the entertainment industry and the continent at large. He called on the Nigerian authorities to address the challenges of care management, instead of “focusing on salacious trivia and click bait of tragedies.”
He queried: “What do those who concoct premature obituaries aim to achieve? Death wishes are never a good thing. It is not amusing to repeatedly see one’s obituaries on television or newspaper pages or on blogs. They are mostly unverified fake reports aimed at driving traffic and garnering clicks for the lazy and insensitive promoters and hounders of celebrities, spitting in the faces of the impact of the cultural and human values these esteemed celebrities have shared with society all through their active years of service in their chosen fields.”
The publishing company also congratulated the veteran actor, who recently turned 82, extending its deeply felt felicitations to him and his wife, Joke Silva, and his entire family. Paradigm City described Olu Jacobs as a legendary and gifted actor who had generously shared his seamless and sophisticated art across continents and times.
“Together with his formidably talented wife, Joke Silva, he has blessed the Creative/Entertainment industry with his timeless gifts, experience and unimpeachable performance.”