LAGOS, NIGERIA (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Veteran actor, John Okafor aka Mr. Ibu is dead.
He died on Saturday after a protracted battle with an ailment in Lagos.
Mr. Ibu is one of Nollywood’s iconic figures.
He is known for his comedic flair and memorable performances.
Mr. Ibu died at the age of 62.
Here are 16 things to know about the legendary actor;
1. Mr. Ibu was born on October 17, 1961, in Nkanu West, Enugu State, Nigeria.
2. After elementary school, in 1974, Mr. Ibu moved to Sapele to stay with his brother, after his father’s demise.
3. In Sapele, he did menial jobs so he could sponsor himself to school and support his family.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Mr Ibu’s Son, Adopted Daughter For Alleged Theft Of N55m From Ailing Actor’s Donations
4. He was admitted into the College of Education, Yola, after his secondary school education, but dropped out due to lack of funds.
5. He later enrolled in the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
6. He had worked as hairstylist and as a photographer before joining Nollywood.
7. The name “Mr. Ibu” originated from one of his early roles in a movie where he played a character named Ibu. The film’s success propelled him to stardom, and he adopted the name as his stage identity.
8. John Okafor had acted in more than 200 Nollywood movies including Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu 2 (2005), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, among others.
9. Throughout his career, Mr. Ibu has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
10. On October 15, 2020, the veteran ventured into music and released two singles titled “This Girl” and “Do You Know.”
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Veteran Actor Mr Ibu Dies
11. Beyond acting, Mr. Ibu is involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. He owns a record label and a hotel.
12. In 2012, Mr Ibu called for an end to homosexuality in Nollywood, he described it as akin to a virus.
13. The actor suffered from an undisclosed ailment in October 2023 that threatened to amputate one of his legs
14. In November 2023, Okafor underwent a leg amputation after suffering from an illness that required seven surgeries.
15. Mr. Ibu was one of the most funniest actor in the Nollywood industry
16. He was survived by his wife, Stella Maris and three children; Emmanuel Mandela, Chelsea and Jay Jay Okafor.