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LAGOS, NIGERIA – The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emeka Rollas, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Nollywood icon, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu.
Rollas took to his Instagram page to share the heartbreaking news on Saturday, March 2, 2024,, stating, “Today is a somber day for the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Earlier, Kate Henshaw suffered the loss of her mother, and now we mourn the passing of Mr. Ibu, who succumbed to cardiac arrest as confirmed by his longtime Manager – Mr. Don Single Nwuzor. With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Mr. Ibu. May his soul find eternal peace.”
Recal, that in October 2023, John Okafor disclosed his battle with a debilitating ailment that posed a threat of amputation to one of his legs. He revealed that the health issue arose while he was on set with fellow Nollywood colleagues.
Seeking support from his fans and the public, Mr. Ibu appealed for both prayers and financial assistance to cover his medical expenses. He shared a poignant video from his hospital bed, expressing his fear of losing his leg.
Fortunately, on October 18, 2023, the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation generously covered Okafor’s medical bills in their entirety.
However, it was noted that ongoing financial support was still needed for his hospital care and potential future treatments abroad.
Tragically, in November 2023, John Okafor underwent a leg amputation after enduring seven surgeries in a bid to combat the illness and improve his chances of recovery, as advised by his family.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Ibu left an indelible mark, appearing in over 200 Nollywood films.
He also briefly ventured into music, releasing tracks such as “This Girl” and “Do You Know” on October 15, 2020.
