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  • Mr Ibu truly made Africa laugh – Don Singles

    Mr Ibu truly made Africa laugh – Don Singles

    Chief Executive Officer of Don Singles International (DSI), Dominic Nwuzor, who was the manager of the late Nollywood comic actor John Okafor,popularly known as Mr Ibu, said his demise was the end of an era, describing him as the man that truly ‘made   Africa laugh.’

    Speaking in fond memory of the late legend on Sunday in Abuja, Nwuzor lauded the comic genius of the man he managed for over two decades before his  passing  in March 2024.

    The title “the man who made Africa laugh” often refers to the late actor and  comedian due to his iconic and hilarious roles, especially his character in ‘Mr. Ibu’ movies, becoming a household  comedic name  across the continent.

    Born in Nkanu West Local Government of Enugu State, John Okafor was acclaimed to have appeared in over 200 Nollywood  films

    He was Known for his unique comedic timing, facial expressions, and often portraying foolish or clumsy characters, which resonated deeply with African audiences.

    He burst into scenery limelight in 2004 with the movie Mr Ibu, which tells the story of the eponymous single father and his son as they journey through life, getting into a series of tricky, and hilarious, predicaments

    According to the DSI boss,  “Mr. Ibu” persona was  synonymous with laughter across Africa and beyond, as the late  legend brought joy to millions. 

    Speaking in nostalgia of the late comedian, Nwuzor said he   was part of his entertainment expedition across Africa and beyond, adding that “Mr Ibu truly made Africa laugh, as he used humour  to promote peace and unitythe continent.”.

    He said  Mr Ibu’s  ability   to evoke laughter with his natural wit, made him  fans favourite all over Africa and acclaimed as  one of the continent’s   beloved comic actors of all time.

    “Mr Ibu, as John was popularly known, was not just an actor, but Nollywood ambassador that used his talent and humour to promote peace, happiness and unity among Africans.

    “I signed John in 2004, and then our relationship grew beyond that of business to become that of friendship as we have become so close till his death.

    “The deal started with first two years, and I did not  bother him with the aspects of Nigerian movies,  so  he  could deal with anyone on Nigerian  movies.

    “But for anything   concerning   international  showbiz, I have to discuss with the promoters on the basic access requirements and then we would move.”

    Nwuzor  reminisced that   “There was no airport , especially in Africa, where  crowd of fans would not gather John, and that was how I realized his popularity outside the shores of Nigeria.

    “I can tell you that he was even more celebrated in countries like Ghana, South Africa ,Kenya, Tanzania,Gambia, Garbon, Botswana  and he always held the Nigerian flag showing his love  for his country,” he said.

    The DSI helmsman recounted how Mr Ibu used his craft and popularity to make people happy, build bridges and reconciling warring communities across the continent. 

    According to him, the late thespian used his craft to project Nigeria in a positive light to the world, especially in countries that have heard negative stories about the country.

    Nwuzor said the late veteran comedian was given several  hounours and recognitions by leaders and communities across Africa during his lifetime.

    He decribed  the late actor as  one of the positive things other countries wanted to hear about Nigeria, as everybody looked forward to meet him, including presidents of nations.

    According to him, “Foreigners   fell in love with Nigeria through John and wanted to visit the country because of him, as we got calls from even the Caribbeans.”

    “When we went to Botswana, he held the Nigerian flag when we landed to show that he is from Nigeria because they were hearing a lot of negative things about Nigeria then.

    “Even a little child in Ghana  knows Mr Ibu  , and one thing about him was  his friendliness and  originality, as  everything he does is just himself and  does not  copy  anyone.

    “I remember vividly, how two warring tribes in Ghana came together for the first time because of John’s performance and he ended up reconciling them.

    “He was thereafter given a Chieftaincy title as the ‘Malangula I of Tamale Land’, meaning the peacemaker, and I was named the Ngulala, meaning the mouthpiece of the peacemaker.

    “He was a man I would say made Africans laugh and was held in high esteem like a people’s leader across Africa”, Nwuzor said.

    The DSI helmsman, who described the passing of Mr Ibu as the end of an era, however urged teeming young talents to embrace mentorship and training to go far with their craft.

    According to him, Nigeria has vast and talented youths, with many struggling to find platforms to showcase their creativity due to systemic barriers, limited infrastructure and economic challenges.

    He said as a foremost showbiz and  personality promoter  and artist management firm in Nigeria,  Don Single International is  set to unveil DSI Movies to provide a platform for talented youths to pursue careers in the Nigerian film industry.

  • ‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu’Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu’

    ‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu’Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu’

    • Two talented actors depart

    As actors, they made people laugh. But their deaths last week were no laughing matter. First to exit was Tolani Quadri Oyebamiji, popularly known as ‘Sisi Quadri’, who died at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osun State, on March 1, aged 44.

    The Yoruba word ‘Sisi’ denotes femininity. He explained that a woman who introduced him to makeup and acting gave him the nickname. “She would always call me Sisi Quadri because I behave like a woman,” he said, adding, “At first, I didn’t like the name and would fight back at people when they called me that. But when they were persistent, I had no option but to accept it as my nickname.” 

    Initially a makeup artist, he made his mark as an actor in the Yoruba-language sector of Nollywood. His performance in the 2004 Yoruba movie ‘Seniyan Seranko’ announced his acting talent. He cemented his popularity when he starred in the Yoruba film ‘Ebudola’ in 2020. He also performed in ‘Toko Taya’ in 2022, ‘Aje Ni Eegun,’ ‘Iya Oko Mi,’ ‘Omo Iya Oko,’ ‘Oluwa-Burna,’ and recently in the ‘Anikulapo’ series.

    He was suited for the role of a sharp-tongued character. Interestingly, he said in an interview: “I learnt how to insult people in a joking way through my dad and mum.”

    Born in Iwo, Osun State, he attended primary and secondary schools in Ore, Ondo State, and later learnt Arabic and the Quran in his hometown. His father wanted him to be an Islamic cleric. He studied fashion design, and graduated from a fashion school in 1999.

    His journey to stardom began in 2000 when he was introduced to a group of actors. “Sometimes, when I have to go out, I disguise myself to get acquainted with the everyday experiences of Nigerians which I use to generate concepts for movies/skits. If I don’t disguise myself, I may not achieve my aim because of the attention from fans,” he said. This was a testimony to his recognition.

     The exit of comic actor John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as ‘Mr Ibu’, who died in a Lagos hospital on March 2, aged 62, further depleted comic talents in Nigeria’s film industry.

    Read Also: Kunle Remi dedicates trailblazer award to Mr. Ibu, Sisi Quadri

    A star in the English language/ Pidgin English sector of Nollywood, he became popular following his role as ‘Mr Ibu’ in a 2004 movie, and the name stuck. He starred in over 200 Nollywood films, including the ‘Mr Ibu’ series, ‘Coffin Producers,’ ‘Husband Suppliers,’ ‘International Players,’ ‘Police Recruit’ (2003), ‘9 Wives’ (2005), and ‘Keziah’ (2007). In October 2020, he released two singles, titled ‘This Girl’ and ‘Do You Know,’ which were said to be his last projects before he took ill leading to the amputation of his leg in November, 2023. 

    One of his strong points as an actor was that he could make people laugh without saying anything. According to him, “I was chosen to play a doctor in a film one time and when I came to the set dressed as one, even without saying anything, all the crew just burst out laughing.”

    His participation in Kannywood, the Hausa-language film industry of northern Nigeria, based in Kano, helped to build a bridge between the southern and northern sectors of the Nigerian film industry. His best known Kannywood film was the Hausa language comedy ‘Hajiya Babba.’

    A native of Umunekwu in present-day Enugu State, he was a boxer, football coach, hair stylist, photographer and karate practitioner before he started his acting career. His acting talent was discovered at a film audition.

    ‘Sisi Quadri’ and ‘Mr Ibu’ demonstrated the beauty of talent, the value of professionalism, and the power of art.  

  • Mr. Ibu undergoes another leg surgery, says AGN president

    Mr. Ibu undergoes another leg surgery, says AGN president

    President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Emeka Rollas has given an update on the deteriorating health condition of veteran actor, John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu.

    According to the president, Mr. Ibu has undergone another leg amputation and is barely able to talk.

    He said the association was monitoring Ibu’s case, as it was also concerned about the deteriorating health of another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor.

    Recall that Muonagor is being hospitalised at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State.

    According to him, the actor’s state of health is pitiable, as he is currently a shadow of his old self.

    Ibu’s family last month stated that the actor underwent several surgeries, but to keep his hope of staying alive, one of his legs was amputated, adding that he would be flown abroad for further treatment soon.

    Speaking with Vanguard, the AGN president gave an update: “We are resigning to fate concerning the two actors. As I speak with you, Mr Ibu hardly talks again and he has undergone another leg amputation.”

    “You will shed tears if you see Amaechi Muonagor now, his legs are completely paralyzed. I’m calling on all fans and well wishers of the actor to join hands with other philanthropic Nigerians to support him in this dire time”.

    He further disclosed that he had approved the sum of N250,000 to be sent to the ailing actor’s account from the AGN Trust Fund, acknowledging it was not enough.

    Rollas, however, urged young actors to endeavour to sign up for the AGN HMO and Insurance programmes.

  • Mr Ibu’s wife, Stella demands house from funds raised for ailing comedian – Doris Ogala alleges

    Mr Ibu’s wife, Stella demands house from funds raised for ailing comedian – Doris Ogala alleges

    Nollywood actress, Doris Ogala, has alleged that Stella Maris, wife of ailing actor, John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu, demanded a house from the money donated to her husband for treatment.

    The actress, who made this known via her Instagram page, claimed that from the donation, N2.5 million was transferred to Stella’s account for her upkeep.

    She wrote: “Ibu’s wife is demanding a house saying that her house is leaking water. That they should get her a new house from the house contributed for Ibu’s treatment. They transferred a total of 2.5 million to her account for upkeep from the money. Hmmm.”

    Read Also: Pawpaw speaks on Mr Ibu, says anybody can fall sick any time

    In another post, Doris Ogala raised an important question as to why Mr Ibu made his son a signatory to his account and ignored his wife.

    She added: “My question is why did Mr Ibu take his second son to the bank and make him a signatory if the wife had been good as she claimed? Why didn’t Ibu make the wife signatory to the account? So many things are not adding up, there is more to it.”

  • Pawpaw speaks on Mr Ibu, says anybody can fall sick any time

    Pawpaw speaks on Mr Ibu, says anybody can fall sick any time

    Actor Osita Iheme aka ‘Pawpaw’ has reacted to the condition of his ailing colleague, Mr. Ibu.

    In a brief interview with Hitz FM’s Doreen Avio during the 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Pawpaw confirmed that Mr. Ibu is undergoing treatment and expressed confidence in his recovery.

    He shared that he’s been in constant conversation with Mr. Ibu about his health, clarifying that the illness isn’t a recent occurrence but a prolonged battle.

    Read Also: Oando, gets $800m for NAOC acquisition

    Osita Iheme explained: “Sickness is something that can come upon anybody. Anybody can fall sick at any time. We thank God for life and for keeping us alive.

    “By God’s grace, he is receiving treatment right now and he will be fine. I have been talking to him for a while now, the sickness is not just something that just started today. It has been a long. We have been talking about it.”

  • Veteran actor Mr Ibu’s leg amputated after seven surgeries

    Veteran actor Mr Ibu’s leg amputated after seven surgeries

    Family members of veteran Nollywood actor, John Okafor aka Mr Ibu have issued a public statement concerning the health of the actor.

    Recall that Mr. Ibu has been ill for some time and his family sought financial support to prevent one of his legs from being amputated.

    The Nation confirmed the amputation of the ailing actor’s leg as his health keeps deteriorating. 

    According to his family on Monday, November 6, the actor underwent seven successful surgeries, and one of his legs had to be amputated to save his life.

    The family also appreciated Nigerians for their support saying they are grateful, adding that “only the good Lord can thank you all enough for every help you’ve rendered.”

    Read Also: Use part of funds Mr Ibu raised for your campaign to help him – Reno tells Obi

    The statement added: “Good afternoon, Nigerians. We want to appreciate everyone who has come through for our dad, saying we are grateful is an understatement and only the good Lord can thank you all enough for every help you’ve rendered. As of 1 p.m., noon today, Daddy has gone through 7 successful surgeries but to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery one of his legs had to be amputated. This development has been hard on us all but we’ve had to accept it as Daddy’s new reality to keep him alive.

    “Please we are still soliciting support from well-meaning Nigerians as this stage Daddy is still one very delicate one and he needs all the help he can get.

    “Thank you, everyone, the Okafor family is grateful and we don’t take you for granted. In due time Daddy will personally acknowledge everyone who supported him during this period as soon as he’s stable!”

  • Actor Mr Ibu solicits for financial assistance over health challenge

    Actor Mr Ibu solicits for financial assistance over health challenge

    Veteran actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has solicited for financial assistance from well- meaning Nigerians over health challenge that might cost him to lose his leg.

    The renowned actor, who took to his official Instagram page @realmrIbu on Wednesday to seek public assistance in a video clip, said he has been down and has been on admission for so many weeks.

    He said that the medical doctors have told him that they might resort to cutting off his leg, if they exhausted the options at hand.

    He appealed to Nigerians to remember him in praying, as well as support him financially to enable him have adequate treatment over the ailment.

    “Dear Good people of Nigerian, we are counting on your support at this point we need it the most.

    “Access Bank 1685687982 John Ikechukwu Okafor,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Mr Ibu’s daughter hailed for transforming physically-challenged man

    Mr Ibu is a Nigerian actor who has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria’s film industry with his outstanding acting.

    He came into limelight in 2004 after featuring in the blockbuster movie “Mr. Ibu” which gave him the popular nickname ‘Mr. Ibu‘.

    The movie made him win an award as the ‘Best Comic Actor in Nigeria’ at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.

    Other movies include Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London and Keziah, among others.

    (NAN)

  • Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Ibu and man’s vainglorious folly

    In life, some success stories deserve to be celebrated and recorded for posterity so that humanity can have deeper understanding of quotidian living, its pitfalls and the eventual triumphs of a resilient spirit. While acknowledging the shallowness in the triumphalism with which some characters celebrate dubious success stories in different areas of human endeavours, we cannot deny the existence of real and moving stories that should reinforce our faith that it is not finished as long as we do not give up on our dreams. Of course, the latest of such extraordinary stories is the Tiger Woods’ victory at the Augusta Masters Open where, against all odds, the rejected golfer became the pillar of strength to many who had given up the hope of ever bouncing back. In many ways, the story of the Governor-elect of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and a testimonial rendered by Nollywood celebrity, Mr.Ibu, were only different shades of the Tiger Woods’ extraordinary feat – the triumph of the resilience of the human spirit – when you look at the obstacles placed before them by close friends and associates.

    A common thread was the loneliness of the long-distance runner; sometimes, it can be really lonely and depressing along some portions of the road. But personally, I find the testimonies of these men inspiring especially in this season of wonky legs where dogs conveniently eat dogs with unusual relish. For Ibu, his rags to fame and fortune tale can be paraphrased thus (and as relieved by him in one of the churches in a video that went viral some weeks past): One fateful morning, a friend that has accommodated him in a face-me-I-face-you apartment in a Lagos suburb, called him aside and informed him of his decision to lock him out as he planned to travel to the village for Christmas. Ibu had assumed it was all a rude joke until the guy started flinging his belonging through the door. With tears welling in his eyes and N20 life savings dancing in his pocket, Ibu had opted to take the easiest way out of his mystery by jumping into the open well in the compound. They say cowards die many times before their death, right? Somehow, mother luck had other plans for Ibu. The suicide attempt failed and an emotional song serenading from a neighbours room, Michael Bolton’s “When I’m Back on My Feet Again” somehow gave him a reason to pick up the broken pieces and trudge on. He abandoned the suicide mission as another friend asked him to escort him to somewhere in Surulere where an audition was taking place and where he, fortuitously, met a friend who insisted that he must move to his house that day. Long story short, he moved his scattered property to the friend’s house, made a break in the movie industry, bought his first car, built houses and is now living his dream. What if I had taken the plunge into the well? Mr. Ibu asked the gathering at the Freedom for All Nations Outreach. He started the life-changing testimony by admonishing the congregation to “let this story teach you a lesson. “

    What lesson, you ask. Well, it is simple. At the point when his ‘rich’’, one-room apartment friend decided to play god, threw his nose up in the air and, inadvertently, set Mr. Ibu on a suicidal journey of no return, God stepped in and providence availed for him. Surely, Bolton’s track couldn’t have come at a better time. His eventual triumph was a testimonial that man’s folly and egoistic shenanigan shouldn’t be a barrier to one’s dream of greater tomorrow. They are mere cogs in the wheel of progress.

    Perhaps, nothing testifies to this than the trajectory that Prince Dapo Abiodun had to pass through before he could snatch victory from the jaws of imminent defeat. Of course, we all know that the odds were stacked against him by his once-bosom friend that became his fiercest nightmare, a demagogue with a bloated ego. Abiodun, in a testimony relayed to an audience at a Redeemed Church of God in London, said he practically went through hell in his bid to become the governor of his state. The most shocking aspect of his experience was the fact that those he thought he could trust with his two eyes closed were the ones beating the drum for his downfall and disgrace.

    Listen to him: “I thought that God will not forgive me if I didn’t come forward to share a bit of my testimony and my ‘only God’ moment. I stand here as a testimony of the awesomeness of the Almighty God, and the fact that God is greater than man. God will be God and man will continue to be man, because if it were for men, I will not be the Governor-elect of Ogun state. I have been in the private sector, but I have always had a passion for politics. In 1997, I made my first show in politics; I ran for the senate. I became a senator-elect, and I was the youngest ever elected senator in Nigeria. I was so young that there was a controversy that I was probably too young to be sworn-in because the age limit then was forty and I was not quite forty. Fortunately or unfortunately, the Head of state then died and that republic came to an end. I tried again in 2015; I was persuaded to run for the senate, and I didn’t quite win. Well, I won, I was rigged out, and I went to court. I won at the tribunal and my opponent went and appealed and it was overturned.

    “I was so unhappy. I thought to myself: ‘This is surely it, I’m done with politics; I must just face my business and leave all these politicians alone. They are not trustworthy, they are not reliable, and it is just a waste of money and resources.’ As time went on, in 2017, I had an unfortunate incident. I lost my first son, and life could not have dealt me a worst blow. I withdrew into my shell. For over six months I could not function. I could not go to work, I didn’t see people; I became a complete recluse. Then, in 2018, someone came to me and said will I consider going back into politics. Of course, I said never. Time after time I will be talked to, and then it was that I should go to the senate, and I said I was not interested. I have done this twice, so I’m not interested; God definitely does not want me to be a senator. At some point in time, someone asked me: ‘would you consider being Governor?’ I said that I will consider, but I will first go to God and see what God has to say about it. To cut the long story short, I became convinced that God indeed wanted me to be Governor of Ogun state. I could not explain it. I sat down with the incumbent Governor and had a chat with him. Of course, he said ‘No, never; I will offer you senate’. I said I don’t want senate. Eventually, our Pastor Prof, the Vice President intervened. He now said: ‘maybe you should consider this senate.’ I said okay. I will do it, only to find out that the incumbent Governor that had indeed offered me this senate didn’t mean it. He actually was just leading me on. When that became clear, I went back to Pastor Prof and said: ‘Pastor Prof, God is telling me something. I am going to be the Governor of Ogun state. Like the Pastor said: ‘it was against all odds.’

    And that, in a nutshell, was what Abiodun summarized as “the most turbulent, most bumpy, most challenging, most difficult” tale of a political heroism in which the “incumbent did everything humanly possible to stop me. This is considering the fact that this incumbent has been a friend of mine for over 25 years.” Put bluntly, Ibikunle Amosun’s folly and buffoonery is wreathed in hollow triumphalism. Without thinking of the God factor in the affairs of men, he ascribed to himself the Alpha and Omega of others’ fate—the godfather of godfathers. He was huffing and puffing with a swag that defies logic. He forgets that the fall of humpty dumpty is one of the tragic renditions of all times, the emptiness of it all. How, for example, did Mr. Ibu’s former benefactor feel when he heard that the man he threw out in the sun to dry was now dancing in the sun to His glory and using his rags-to-riches experience to inspire thousands of hopeless people to get their mojo back?

    How are those that swore on their grannies’ graves that Dapo Abiodun would never be in charge of the levers of governance in Ogun State feeling now that he has set up a transition committee in that state with the incumbent saying he would stop being governor on May 28, 2019? Oh! I thought he was in it till the grim reaper puts a tone of finality on his tenure. In short, how does it feel to throw away 25 years of solid friendship on the altar of political self-immolation? How does betrayal taste in the mouths of these persons anyway?

    Here, Bolton’s lyrics resonate:

    Soon these tears will all be dryin’

    Soon these eyes will see the sun

    Might take time, might take time, but I’ll see it

    When I’m back on my feet again

    When I’m back on my feet again

    I’ll walk proud down this street again

    And they’ll all look at me again

    And they’ll see that I’m strong

    Abiodun and Mr. Ibu’s tears dried up and there came a soothing balm of victory that etched permanent smiles on their faces. One can only hope they remember to apply the same spirit of untainted love for humanity in their dealing with others as they progress. Maybe we should also ask those who pilloried Woods in all those 14 years in the wilderness how they felt when, through determination, grit and divine help, the man broke the chains around him and got back on his feet again in Augusta some days back. When, I ask, will men learn to stop playing gods in the affairs of fellow men? When?

  • Mr. Ibu debunks stroke rumour

    Popular comic actor, John Okafor, a.k.a Mr. Ibu has debunked the rumours making the rounds that he is currently down with stroke.

    Mr. Ibu made this known via an Instagram post on Thursday

    In his words, “I am hale and hearty. I am speaking from my house, in Lekki.” “I have been receiving calls from across the world since today. I don’t know who is spreading this false news about me. I don’t know what they saying. Na their papa get stroke.”

    He also expressed disappointment over the ’wicked rumours’ and added that he has handed the rumour peddlers to God.

    He said, “Oh God! People are saying that I have stroke that I am down with stroke, why? How can you announce somebody’s sickness and you have many, you don’t even announce one. I don’t have any stroke please. This is my wife, my humble wife. Well, we hand over everything to God.”

  • 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.