Family of late Mr Ibu opens up of hardship after his death

The family of late Nollywood actor and comedian, John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has opened up on the hardship they have faced since his death.

The family made the revelation during a recent visit by content creator King Mitchy, saying life has become extremely difficult after the actor’s passing.

According to the family, Mr Ibu’s only daughter and two sons have dropped out of school because of their financial situation.

They also disclosed that they have been living without electricity and running water for weeks, as they have been unable to settle basic bills.

The children’s mother said they now fetch water from a well and move around at night looking for where to charge their phones because electricity supply to the house had been disconnected.

“We fetched water from the well because I have not paid the house rent. They even cut my light since two months now. No light. Since then, we have been like that.

“Every night, we go to look for where to charge our phones and it’s not easy,” she said.

Mr Ibu’s daughter also appealed to Nigerians and members of the entertainment industry who worked with her father to come to their aid.

She praised her mother for struggling to feed them and keep the family together despite the hardship.

“I want to thank God for my mom. She tried everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees and make us happy.

“So Nigerians, if you were in the industry with my dad, you are seeing us now, come and meet us,” she pleaded.

The children’s mother, who fought back tears during the visit, also revealed that the school had recently sent her a message over the children’s outstanding fees.

Mr Ibu died on March 2, 2024, in Lagos at the age of 62 after suffering cardiac arrest.

Before his death, the actor had battled ill health and underwent a leg amputation in November 2023 after an illness that reportedly required seven surgeries.

His death threw Nollywood into mourning, with many fans and colleagues describing him as one of Nigeria’s most gifted comic actors.

But months after his passing, his family’s latest revelation has renewed public concern over the welfare of the loved ones he left behind.