Veteran Nigerian Actor John Okafor, also known as ‘Mr Ibu’ is dead.
In a statement on Saturday, March 2, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas announced that Mr Ibu had passed on at a hospital in Lagos.
“Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest according to his manager for 24 years, Mr Don Single Nwuzor. I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu didn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace,” the President of the actors’ umbrella body in Nigeria announced.
Mr Ibu’s death came after a relatively long battle with illness. In October 2023, the veteran actor renowned for his roles in popular Nollywood films appealed for financial assistance to cater for his health expenses.
At the time, the family had planned to fly Ibu out for medical attention, but his doctors warned that he was not fit to fly.
Later in November, the actor’s leg was amputated as part of the treatment to a condition he noted that he sustained in a past recording set.
One month later in December, the actor was taken ill again, this time necessitating further amputation of his leg in attempts to end the illness.
His death has since sent Nollywood fans across the African continent and beyond into mourning with social media users sharing their memories of the actor to eulogize him.
How Mr Ibu name came up
Mr Ibu, a name that he earned out of his acting, had over the years eclipsed his real name John Okafor.
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The name dates more than two decades ago when he featured in an award-winning comedy film titled “Ibu”.
His hilarious character in the award-winning film then endeared him to Nollywood fans across the world.
Later in his career, the name gained prominence and he adopted it as his set name.
Throughout his acting career, Mr Ibu was known for his comic appearance and ability to blend his role with facial expressions that ended up carving his name into the Nollywood Hall of fame.
He has featured in popular films including the original Mr. Ibu which catapulted him into fame, Mr. Ibu In London, 9 Wives, Police Recruit– among others.
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In his acting career, John Okafor also acted alongside some of Nollywood’s great names including one Osita Iheme who is known by the set name Pawpaw.
He was also known for his versatility as an actor after having nailed several roles including as a peasant ‘Mr Ibu’ with his son Pawpaw and even as a prominent rich man.
Following news about his death, the social media was awash with short clips of some of his iconic scenes he featured in, as fans reminisced the joy Mr Ibu would bring to their screens.
Born in 1961 in Enugu, Nigeria, Okafor died aged 63 years leaving behind a rich legacy as talented actor, a philanthropist and a businessman.
