Nollywood actor and comedian, John Ikechukwu Okafor, widely known as Mr. Ibu, passed away on Saturday, March 2, 2024. His death followed a period of reported illness and financial difficulties. In November 2023, Okafor’s family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated in an effort to save his life. Unfortunately, the amputation was necessary due to an infection of the arteries at the ankle, which had not been detected early enough.
Born on October 17, 1961, Okafor was a Nigerian actor and comedian who hailed from Enugu State. He rose to prominence in 2004 with the movie “Mr. Ibu,” in which he starred alongside popular actor Osita Iheme. Throughout his career, Okafor appeared in over 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.
Following his passing, tributes poured in from various individuals in the entertainment industry. Emeka Rollas, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, expressed his sadness on Instagram and conveyed his condolences. Other celebrities, such as Kate Henshaw, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, and Peter from the pop group P-Square, also mourned Okafor’s loss and offered their sympathies to his family.
The late actor, Mr. Ibu, will be remembered for his contributions to Nollywood and his comedic talent. Many have expressed their wishes for his soul to rest in peace and have extended their condolences to his grieving family.
