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John Okafor

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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
Burial placeAmuri, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu State
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 legendary actor and comedian. He appeared in over 200 Nollywood films including those from the Mr. Ibu series.

Early life and education

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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] Okafor 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

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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
  • Four Forty (2006) as Okukuseku
  • Store Keeper (2006) as Innocent
  • Issakaba (1999)
  • Mr. Ibu in London (2005) as Ibu
  • Police Recruit (2003)
  • Bafana Bafana (2007) as Mazie
  • 9 Wives (2005) as Onuwa
  • Ibu in Prison (2006)
  • Keziah (2007) as Cletus.[4][5][6][7]
  • Desperate Search (2007) as Job
  • Most Wanted Kidnappers (2010) as Akawo
  • Sherikoko (2010) as Highjack
  • Open and Close (2011) as Okwuti
  • Ibu in Sierra Leone (2013) as Ibu
  • Chinbundu (2014) as Okoro
  • Love Wahala (2014) as Thomas
  • Plantain Girl (2015) as Amadi
  • London Fever (2017)
  • Prince of Deceit (2017) as Emeka
  • The Eve (2018) as Uncle Festus
  • The Album (2020) as Steve Eboh

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]

Personal life

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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.[11][12]

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.[13]

Illness and death

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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.[14][15] 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.[16][17][18] 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.[19][20][21]

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.[22][23][24]

Okafor died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria on 2 March 2024 at the age of 62 as a result of cardiac arrest.[25][26][27] The burial took place in his home town on the on Friday 28th of June 2024.[1] Following his death, his adopted daughter Jasmine renamed his million-follower TikTok account to her own name and deleted all of the videos that did not feature her.[28]

See also

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References

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  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 (31 March 2018). "John Okafor: Biography, Career, Movies & More". Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  6. ^ "Most Popular Movies and TV Shows With John Okafor". IMDb. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  7. ^ Etz_Jayprinz (18 October 2023). "Mr. Ibu, John Okafor Biography: Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Wife, Children". MideVibez. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  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 14 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Audiomack | Free Music Sharing and Discovery". audiomack.com. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Mr Ibu Recalls Near Death Experience After He Was Poisoned". The Guardian Nigeria News. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2022.
  12. ^ Obimma, Stanley (10 March 2024). "Mr Ibu's Daughter, Chelsea Okafor Biography, Age, Education, Siblings And Husband". StanleyPlug.
  13. ^ Abubakar, Mansur (26 January 2024). "Mr Ibu's hospital funds: Children of Nollywood actor John Okafor arrested". BBC News.
  14. ^ Eze, Chinelo (18 October 2023). "Mr Ibu Risks Losing Leg, Seeks Public Assistance". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  15. ^ Odutuyo, Adeyinka (20 October 2023). "What We Know About Mr Ibu's Health and How You Can Help". Zikoko!. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  16. ^ Stephen, Onu (18 October 2023). "'I don't want my legs to be cut off, please help me' Mr Ibu cries out". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  17. ^ Mosadioluwa, Adam (18 October 2023). "VIDEO: My leg might be amputated, Mr Ibu solicits financial support". Tribune Online. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Nollywood star Mr Ibu reportedly suffers stroke". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  19. ^ AriseNews (22 October 2023). "Former Senate President Saraki Clears Actor Mr. Ibu's Medical Bills". Arise News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  20. ^ Acho, Affa (21 October 2023). "Saraki Settles Nollywood Comic Actor Mr Ibu's Medical Bills". Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Bukola Saraki foundation covers Mr Ibu's medical bills". Tribune Online. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  22. ^ Medeme, Ovwe (6 November 2023). "Doctors amputate Mr Ibu's leg". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  23. ^ "Mr Ibu: Nigerian Nollywood actor's leg amputated, family says". BBC News. 7 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  24. ^ "BREAKING: Nigerian Comic Actor, Mr Ibu's Leg Amputated After Seven Surgeries". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Mr Ibu reportedly dies at 62". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  26. ^ Bamidele, Ibrahim (2 March 2024). "Veteran Nollywood actor Mr Ibu is dead". intelregion.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024.
  27. ^ Adeniyi, Olawale (2 March 2024). "Veteran Actor, Mr Ibu Passes Away At 62". Naija News.
  28. ^ Itodo, Sunny Green (3 March 2024). "Criticisms as Mr Ibu's adopted daughter, Jasmine renames actor's Tiktok account". Daily Post Nigeria.
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