John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, was a Nigerian Nollywood actor and comedian from Enugu State.
His death announced on Saturday, March 2, 2024, threw colleagues and fans into mourning.
Here are eight things to know about Mr. Ibu:
1. John Ikechukwu Okafor was born on October 17, 1961.
2. He was a Nigerian actor and comedian.
3. The comic actor came to the limelight in 2004 with the movie “Mr. Ibu.” featuring another popular actor, Osita Iheme.
4. Okafor acted in more than 200 Nollywood films including Mr. Ibu, Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London, Police Recruit and many others.
5. On October 15, 2020, the veteran ventured into music and released two singles titled “This Girl” and “Do You Know.”
6. In 2012, when Mr. Ibu called for an end to homosexuality in Nollywood, he described it as akin to a virus.
7. He graduated from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu State.
8. He died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62.
READ ALSO: Nigerian comedy icon, Mr Ibu dies at 62 after battle with blood clot
Credible News recalls that Nollywood actor and comedian, John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu was ill and amputation became necessary because of an infection of the arteries at the ankle that was not detected early enough in October 2023.
Nollywood pays tributes
Paying tributes to the late Okafor, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, wrote on his Instagram, “Sad day for the Actors Guild of Nigeria.
Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today, and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest, according to his 24-year-old manager, Don Nwuzor. I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu did not make it. May his soul rest in peace.”
Actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie, wrote, “It is well…rest well, sir.”
Peter, a singer and member of the pop group, P-Square, wrote, “Rest well, Mr Ibu. We will definitely miss you, brother.”
