Nollywood actor and a comedian, John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu’s death announced on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

His death comes after the veteran actor was reported ill and required financial assistance.

In November 2023, Okafor’s family confirmed that one of his legs had been amputated to keep him alive.

The amputation became necessary because of an infection of the arteries at the ankle that was not detected early enough.

Here are things to know about the late actor.

Okafor was born on October 17, 1961. He was a Nigerian actor and comedian. He hails from Enugu State.

The comic actor came to the limelight in 2004 with the movie “Mr Ibu.” featuring another popular actor, Osita Iheme.

Okafor acted in more than 200 Nollywood films including Mr. Ibu, Mr. Ibu and His Son, Coffin Producers, Husband Suppliers, International Players, Mr. Ibu in London, Police Recruit and many others.

On October 15, 2020, the veteran ventured into music and released two singles titled “This Girl” and “Do You Know.”

In 2012, Mr Ibu called for an end to homosexuality in Nollywood, he described it as akin to a virus.

He graduated from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu State.

Okafor died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62.

Nollywood pays tributes

Paying tributes to the late Okafor, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, wrote on his Instagram, “Sad day for the Actors Guild of Nigeria. 

Kate Henshaw lost her mother earlier today, and Mr Ibu suffered cardiac arrest, according to his manager of 24 years, Don Nwuzor. I announce with a deep sense of grief that Mr Ibu did not make it. May his soul rest in peace.”

On her part, an actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie, wrote, “It is well…rest well, sir.”

Peter, a singer and member of the pop group, P-Square, wrote, “Rest well, Mr Ibu. We will definitely miss you, brother.”