Categories
  • Actors from Enugu State
  • Igbo comedians
  • Nigerian comedians
  • Igbo actors
  • African comedians
  • Nigerian amputees
    •   Encyclosphere.org ENCYCLOREADER
      supported by EncyclosphereKSF

    John Okafor

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 5 min
    John Okafor
    Okafor in 2014
    Born
    John Ikechukwu Okafor

    (1961-10-17)17 October 1961
    Umunekwu, Eastern Region, Nigeria
    Died2 March 2024(2024-03-02) (aged 62)
    Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria
    NationalityNigerian
    Other namesMr Ibu
    EducationInstitute of Management and Technology, Enugu
    Occupation(s)Actor, comedian and influencer
    Years active1978–2020

    John Ikechukwu Okafor (17 October 1961 – 2 March 2024), popularly known as Mr. Ibu, was a Nigerian actor and comedian. He appeared in over 200 Nollywood films including those from the Mr. Ibu series.

    Early life and education[edit]

    John Ikechukwu Okafor was born on 17 October 1961. He was from Umunekwu in Nigeria's former Eastern Region (now in Nkanu West L.G.A., Enugu State).[1] After elementary school and the death of his father in 1974, Okafor moved to Sapele to stay with his brother. In Sapele, he did menial jobs so he could send himself to school and support his family.[2] He then worked as a hairstylist, ventured into photography and also worked in a company that produced crates. After secondary school, he was admitted into the College of Education, Yola, but pulled out due to financial difficulties. He later enrolled in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.[3]

    Career[edit]

    Okafor acted in more than 200 Nollywood films including Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London (2005), Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006) and Keziah (2007).[4][5][6][7]

    Okafor was known as "Nigeria's Borat" and in 2012 described homosexuality in Nollywood as akin to a virus, saying "If there is any way in this world that people can make them stop it or kill it, please do it."[8]

    Okafor also ventured into music for a short period of time. On 15 October 2020, he released his songs titled "This girl" and "Do you know".[9][10]

    Health challenges[edit]

    In October 2023, Okafor revealed that he was suffering from an ailment that threatened to make it necessary to amputate one of his legs. He said he was struck by the problem while on a movie set with other Nollywood actors.[11][12] He appealed to his fans and the public for prayers and financial assistance to cover his medical bills. He also shared a video of himself lying in a hospital bed, expressing his fear of losing his leg.[13][14][15]

    The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation, which was established by the former senate president of Nigeria, paid off Okafor's entire medical expenses as of 18 October 2023. The foundation also stated that Okafor still required a lot of financial assistance to sustain him in the hospital and for his travel abroad for further treatment.[16][17][18]

    Illness and death[edit]

    In November 2023, Okafor underwent a leg amputation after suffering from an illness that required seven surgeries. His family said the amputation was done to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery.[19][20][21]

    Okafor died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos on 2 March 2024, at the age of 62, as a result of cardiac arrest.[22][23][24]

    Personal life[edit]

    Before his acting career, Okafor was a boxer, football coach, and karate practitioner.[3] He was married twice in his lifetime. He has more than 10 children. His second wife, Stella Maris Okafor had three children with him, one of whom is deceased.[25]

    His son Daniel and adopted daughter Jasmine were accused of hacking Okafor's phone and stealing $60,700 from him. They were arrested in January 2024.[26] Following Okafor's death, Jasmine renamed his million-follower TikTok account to her own name and deleted all of the videos that did not feature her.[27]

    See also[edit]

    • List of Nigerian actors

    References[edit]

    1. ^ Okoth, Brian (2 March 2024). "'Mr Ibu': Veteran Nigerian actor John Okafor dies at 62". TRT Afrika.
    2. ^ Momoh, Mohammed (3 March 2024). "Mr Ibu, Nigerian actor who cracked African ribs, dies at 62". Nation.
    3. ^ a b Augoye, Jayne (24 March 2018). "How I quit boxing after being badly 'pummeled' — Mr Ibu". Premium Times.
    4. ^ ""Homosexualism is the biggest virus in Nollywood", John Okafor. By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan". Modernghana.com. 12 November 2013.
    5. ^ NF. "John Okafor: Biography, Career, Movies & More". Retrieved 2019-05-19.
    6. ^ "Most Popular Movies and TV Shows With John Okafor". IMDb. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
    7. ^ Etz_Jayprinz (2023-10-18). "Mr. Ibu, John Okafor Biography: Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Wife, Children". MideVibez. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
    8. ^ Mark, Monica (21 September 2012). "Nigerian court jails actor for homosexuality under colonial law". The Guardian.
    9. ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
    10. ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
    11. ^ Eze, Chinelo (2023-10-18). "Mr Ibu Risks Losing Leg, Seeks Public Assistance". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    12. ^ Odutuyo, Adeyinka (2023-10-20). "What We Know About Mr Ibu's Health and How You Can Help". Zikoko!. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    13. ^ Stephen, Onu (2023-10-18). "'I don't want my legs to be cut off, please help me' Mr Ibu cries out". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    14. ^ Mosadioluwa, Adam (2023-10-18). "VIDEO: My leg might be amputated, Mr Ibu solicits financial support". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    15. ^ "Nollywood star Mr Ibu reportedly suffers stroke". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
    16. ^ AriseNews (2023-10-22). "Former Senate President Saraki Clears Actor Mr. Ibu's Medical Bills". Arise News. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    17. ^ Acho, Affa (2023-10-21). "Saraki Settles Nollywood Comic Actor Mr Ibu's Medical Bills". Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    18. ^ "Bukola Saraki foundation covers Mr Ibu's medical bills". Tribune Online. 2023-10-21. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
    19. ^ Medeme, Ovwe (2023-11-06). "Doctors amputate Mr Ibu's leg". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
    20. ^ "Mr Ibu: Nigerian Nollywood actor's leg amputated, family says". BBC News. 2023-11-07. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
    21. ^ "BREAKING: Nigerian Comic Actor, Mr Ibu's Leg Amputated After Seven Surgeries". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
    22. ^ "Mr Ibu reportedly dies at 62". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
    23. ^ "Veteran Nollywood actor Mr Ibu is dead". 2 March 2024.
    24. ^ Adeniyi, Olawale (2 March 2024). "Veteran Actor, Mr Ibu Passes Away At 62". Naija News.
    25. ^ "Mr Ibu Recalls Near Death Experience After He Was Poisoned". The Guardian Nigeria News. 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2022-07-18.
    26. ^ Abubakar, Mansur (26 January 2024). "Mr Ibu's hospital funds: Children of Nollywood actor John Okafor arrested". BBC News.
    27. ^ Itodo, Sunny Green (3 March 2024). "Criticisms as Mr Ibu's adopted daughter, Jasmine renames actor's Tiktok account". Daily Post Nigeria.

    External links[edit]

    This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
    Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John Okafor
    Status: article is cached
    Encyclosphere.org EncycloReader is supported by the EncyclosphereKSF