- John Okafor died on Saturday aged 62 after battling a prolonged illness.
- The comical actor was not only a household name in Kenya but a darling to many people across the world who were mesmerized by his talent.
Image: HANDOUT
For decades, John Okafor alias Mr Ibu entertained the world in the many movies he was featured in.
Okafor died on Saturday aged 62 after battling a prolonged illness.
The comical actor was not only a household name in Kenya but a darling to many people across the world who were mesmerized by his talent.
His remarkable acting prowess left a lasting footprint in the hearts of people who were privileged to watch him.
Mr Ibu
The veteran actor became an authority in Nollywood in 2004 through his viral movie dubbed Mr Ibu where he was the lead character.
As fate would have it, the title of the movie became his trademark name until death.
So popular and loved was the movie that prequels such as Mr Ibu 2(2005), , Mr Ibu and His Son(2006), Mr Ibu in London and Mr Ibu in Prison which came out in 2006 were produced.
The veteran actor is said to have appeared in more than 200 movies in his lifetime.
Other popular movies in which he was cast are Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Police Recruit (2003), 9 Wives (2005) and Keziah (2007).
A musician
Mr Ibu also had a short stint in music. On October 15, 2020, he released "This girl" and "Do you know?”.
The legendary actor was born on October 17, 1961, in the Eastern Province of Nigeria, now Enugu State.
Education and early life
Mr Ibu finished his elementary education in 1974 after which he went to stay with his brother in Sapele, Delta State, Nigeria, following the death of their father.
During this period, Mr Ibu is said to have taken to doing menial jobs to foot his education expenses and support the family as well.
The actor finished his secondary education and joined the College of Education, Yola, for further studies but that was cut short due to financial difficulties.
In the course of his hustle and search for greener pastures, Mr Ibu later become a hairstylist before venturing into photography. Later on, he worked at a company that produced crates.
Mr Ibu would later gain financial stability and enrol in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu where he pursued a course.
Mr Ibu's family
He was married twice and had more than 10 children most of whom are adopted.
Mr Ibu is survived by his second wife, Stella Maris Okafor, and some of his children are Emmanuel Mandela Okafor, Chelsea Okafor, Jay Jay Okafor, Daniel Okafor and adopted daughter Jasmine Chioma.
Mr Ibu and Stella Maris tied the knot in 2015.
Health issue
His health started deteriorating around October 2023. The problem started while he was on set shooting a Nollywood movie.
It was during that period that a video of him in the hospital was shared on his Instagram page soliciting funds to enable him to foot his medical expenses.
In the video, Mr Ibu expressed fear that the ailment could lead to amputation of his legs.
The fears came to pass in November 2023 when his right leg was amputated from the knee after a bout of illness that so him undergo seven surgeries.
His family said the amputation was done to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery.
Mr Ibu left the hospital around January 25, 2024, only to be readmitted a month later.
He was pronounced dead on Saturday at Evercare Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, as a result of Cardiac arrest.