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Tag: John Okafor

  • Mr. Ibu’s wife marks actor’s posthumous birthday

    Mr. Ibu’s wife marks actor’s posthumous birthday

    Stella Maris Okafor, wife of veteran actor John Okafor (popularly known as Mr. Ibu), celebrated her husband’s posthumous birthday with heartfelt memories on Thursday, October 17.

    She shared photos of their family, reminiscing about the beautiful moments they shared.

    This marks the first birthday Mr Ibu’s demise earlier this year.

    Stella Maris recalled how much he cherished celebrating his birthdays and expressed her deep affection for him.

    She honoured her husband’s memory, acknowledging the significant impact of his absence on this special day.

    Read Also: “Love, laughter you brought have been replaced by fear and uncertainty” – Mr. Ibu’s wife pays tribute

    Stella Maris also wished for his soul to continue resting in eternal peace.

    She wrote, “Today is my late husband’s birthday (Mr IBU) This will mark the first birthday without him celebrating with us here.I can’t forget how he used to cherished and celebrate his birthdays… We miss him so much May his soul continue to rest in eternal peace Amen”

    Nigerians flooded her timeline with condolences and support.

    mirabless_ wrote, “Hmmmmmmm this life self hmmmmmm, Ibu is now history nawa ooo. Wife is wife no matter what , virtue wife can’t be compare to anything. Rest on Mr funny.”

    Eve Esin wrote, “Keep resting mate. Sis, be strong.”

    sequencials wrote, “What a life, take good care of the kids madam, the lord is your strength, be strong you hear.”

  • Mr Ibu advises students on career choice

    Comic actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has advised students to discover themselves early and choose the careers most suitable for them.

    Ibu gave this advice during an interactive session with Mass Communication students of Benson Idahosa University.

    According to him, students should identify what they have passion for as this will help them make the right choice and choose the career that fits into their character.

    “If you don’t have a passion for a particular career, one should not venture into it,” he said.

    “Your friend is doing something and you like what he or she is doing but it is not in your body, don’t push yourself into doing it because the result may not be satisfactory.”

    Read also: Kate Henshaw: You don’t need another person to be complete

    Asked what other career he would have chosen besides comic acting, Mr. Ibu said he would have been a professional dancer even though he sings well.

    He further admonished the students to believe in their dreams and strive to be the best as they still have time on their side.

    The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia, thanked the Nollywood actor for coming to share his wealth of experience and wisdom with the students.

  • Piracy, bane of Nollywood, says Mr Ibu

    Award winning actor, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu, says the activities of pirates, has impacted negatively on movie productions in Nollywood.

    “The Nigerian movie industry is blossoming with a production rate of about 50 movies weekly, however the potential of the fast growing industry is hampered by impostors and pirates,” Ibu told our reporter in Abuja.

    Okafor said that the efforts put into writing and production of movies by actors and actresses are jeopardised by those engaged in piracy.

    He attributed the challenge of piracy in the industry to bad eggs in the post production stage who undermine the efforts of the artistes.

    The famous actor, however, said that he would not be deterred by the actions of ‘unscrupulous’ individuals or groups.

    Okafor, who has over 350 movies to his credit, urged everyone involved in film production and management in Nigeria to strive to protect the industry while it is still possible.

    “Despite being a manager of football players and also trying my hands in boxing, acting in Nollywood is what I am destined to do.
    “If it dies my destiny as well as many others will die,” he said.

    Okafor is considered to be one of Nigeria’s most talented comic characters.

    His humorous acting is often characterised by stupidity, hilarious imbecility and a sharp disconnection from reality.

    Some of his movies include Mr.Ibu, Mr.Ibu in London, Police Recruit, 9 Wives, Ibu in Prison and Keziah.

    NAN

  • Nollywood actor, makes case for united Africa

    Nollywood actor, makes case for united Africa

    Nollywood actor, John Okafor, says Africans need  to be more united to attract the attention of the international community.

    Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu,  told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday that the process should start from individual countries  through the sub-regions to the  continental level.

    “ The process of unity should start from our individual countries to the sub-regions and then on to the continental level.

    “ We need to be more united at a time like this  to get the desired attention from the international community,” he said.

    Okafor said that media reports emanating from Africa were  always about conflicts and disasters.

    “ In some of the sub-regions, you do not need a visa to enter individual countries. My vision is that Africa should go beyond that.

    “ Let there be an  Africa without  borders. If you are an African, you should  get a visa at the point of entry.

    “ Let us endeavour  to become one united Africa. I am proposing one brother, one nation,” Okafor said.

    The artiste also canvassed a common currency in the continent, saying  Africa has the abundant natural and human resources to support its economy.

    “ The African Union should champion this cause and ensure that the continent is formidable, united and gets the desired attention from the rest of the world.

    “ Africa is not far from Europe. We can do so many things together for the benefit of our people,” the actor said.

  • #BBNaija Day 31: I was suicidal, says Comic actor Ibu

    #BBNaija Day 31: I was suicidal, says Comic actor Ibu

    Nollywood comic star, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu said he was suicidal before attaining his present celebrity status.

    Ibu , the fifth Nigerian celebrity visiting the #BBNaija housemates on Day 31, narrated his experience during the dairy session with `Biggie’ in the Diary Room.

    The comic actor said he `nearly’ committed suicide during “his struggles in life.”

    “Do you know that there was a day I prepared to kill myself in Ajao Estate; that day I was preparing to jump into a well because of the situation that surrounded me.

    “Three days before that day, I had not eaten and I did not have hope of eating for the next week; I was only surviving on water and I hate it when I bother anyone.

    “Most of my close friends were not bothered about my well-being even though it was obvious that I was not alright,’’

    “The friend I used to squat with threw me out of his house because he wanted to travel for Christmas and will not allow me stay in his house.

    “From where I seated, there was a well; as I opened the lid and prepared to jump inside, the image of my mother face flashed through my mind.

    “I quickly closed the well and began to wonder how my mother who at that time was alive knew that I wanted to kill myself; I went back and leaned on the wall,’’ Ibu said.

    Mr Ibu during the diary session with `Biggie’ in #BBNaija

    According to him, the song, “When I got my feet back again’’ by Michael Bolton being played by a neigbour gave him hope and he decided to stay alive.

    He said, “One of my friends, Frank came back from London; he gave me a flat in his flat; he started taking me out and buying clothes for me; it was from there I got my footing.’’

    Earlier, while interacting with the housemates, the funny actor informed them that he had been watching the game back home and admonished them to be humble.

    He said he was proud to be a Nigerian and gave them advice that could enhance their acts after leaving the house.

    “As soon as you come back from there, follow it up; don’t stop, engage yourselves in movies, musical or anything that keeps you prominent, like being consistence in the game of awareness.

    “Our country Nigeria is a fine country; we are giant of Africa,’’ Ibu stressed.

    The housemates who were excited to see him, took part in a “selfie’’ session with Ibu before his exist from the house.

    NAN also reports that Ibu has joined other Nigerian entertainers like Emmanuel Ikubese, Mr Nigeria; Falz the bad guy and Ice Price who had earlier visited the house. (NAN)

  • Group cries out over Ekweremadu’s safety

    A group, Greater Awgu Forum (GAF), said yesterday that Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime should be held responsible if anything untoward happens to the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

    A statement by the Director of Operation and Strategy, GAF, Chief John Okafor, said this became necessary following alleged Chime’s “unrelenting war of attrition and unhidden threats” against Ekweremadu.

    GAF said it was mindful that in “Nigeria’s political history, desperate people indulge in desperate things.”

    It said it had followed the governor’s recent campaigns of calumny against representatives of the state at the National Assembly, especially Ekweremadu.

    The governor, the group alleged, has been working to undermine, malign, discredit and run down some National Assembly members from Enugu State, especially Ekweremadu.