Mr Ibu, a veteran Nollywood actor and comedian whose real name is John Okafor, has celebrated his 62nd birthday in an undisclosed hospital.
BRANDPOWER reports that a video posted on the actor’s official Instagram page @realmrIbu on Wednesday showed him in celebration, surrounded by his family members.
The comic actor was in hospital garments sitting on the bed, with a cart carrying his birthday cake and some drinks in his front, as his family members sang the ‘happy birthday song’ to him,
Okafor, evidently in discomfort, weakly muttered the song along while holding a knife in the cake.
The trending video has generated reactions from his fans, with many extending their goodwill messages, birthday wishes and “Get well soon” prayers to him.
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BRANDPOWER reports that Okafor, who hails from Enugu State, was born on Oct. 17, 1963, and he is reputed to have featured in over 200 NollyWood movies.
Some of his movies include Mr. Ibu (2004), Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London and Keziah, among others.
Meanwhile, in a viral Instagram video on Wednesday, the comic actor solicited the prayers and financial assistance of his fans.
BRANDPOWER reports that the comic actor said he has been hospitalised for two weeks because of “a strange and dangerous illness”.
The 62-year-old actor, while celebrating his birthday on his sickbed, said his doctors have recommended the amputation of his legs.
John Okafor on Instagram: “Dear Good people of Nigerian, we are counting on your support at these point we need it the most Access Bank 1685687982 John Ikechukwu Okafor”
instagram.com
In the video, Mr Ibu, who lay on the hospital bed in the company of his wife and daughter, said, “ As I speak to you, I am still lying down in the hospital; the medical director of this hospital said that the best solution is that, in case his new idea didn’t work, the best idea is to cut off my leg.
“Just see me, if they cut off my leg, where do I go from here? Please pray for me, talk to God Almighty, and I don’t want my legs to be cut off. Thank you so much. God bless you.”
His daughter Jasmine Okafor, in a post on Instagram, confirmed that her father has been in the health facility for two weeks.
Ibu’s daughter called on individuals and organisations to come to the actor’s aid so he could be flown abroad for treatment.
She said, “As a family, we want to appeal that at this point, people should come to Daddy’s aid and rescue; for the past two weeks, Daddy has been very down, so we took him to the hospital. I have been sorting the bills, thinking I can do it alone. We have been doing everything humanly possible; as a family, we felt it was something we could do on our own for him to be fine, but he is not getting any better.
“He is not getting better; some days, it seems as if he is getting better; some days, it seems like it is getting worse. We are at one of the best private medical facilities in Lagos, and they want to refer us to another hospital because he is not getting better here.”
Mr Ibu 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.
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.
