Nollywood comic icon, Mr Ibu’s appeal for medical support: The story so far
On Tuesday, October 17, popular Nollywood actor, John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, marked his 62nd birthday.
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The actor was gifted a birthday cake displayed on a table for the celebration.
His daughter Jasmine Okafor, in a post on Instagram, shared that her father had been in the health facility for two weeks. She added that she was heartbroken to see her father spend a "joyous" day in the hospital instead of at home.
But there was more to come. On Wednesday, the next day, the renowned comic icon whose popularity transcends his home country made headlines when he turned to social media to solicit public aid as he confronts a health condition that may lead to the amputation of his leg.
In a heartfelt plea, Mr. Ibu revealed that he had been hospitalised for several weeks.
Speaking about the severity of his ailment, he disclosed that his doctors had warned that amputation might be the last resort if all other options exhausted.(VIDEO: Nollywood comic icon Mr. Ibu appeals for public support amidst amputation fears)
Actors Guild of Nigeria reacts
A number of his fans took to social media to solicit for funds. But not quite surprisingly, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) was not spared of the biting attacks for abandoning one of their own in his desperate moments.
The development forced veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O Kanayo to warn people from using Mr Ibu’s predicament to chase clout on social media. (Video: Kanayo warns people to stop chasing clout with Mr Ibu’s illness)
To save itself, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) led by its Director Of Communications, Kate Henshaw came out in defense of itself and image.
The Guild noted that it had been offering support Mr. Ibu, even before the public disclosure of his health status.
Miss Henshaw said the guild had remained committed to supporting its members in times of need, especially with regards to health demands.
Wife’s response
However, in a viral video shared online on Saturday, October 21, Stella Maris, wife of Mr Ibu claimed that the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) did not support her husband at all.
She accused them of exploiting her ailing husband for the sake of chasing clout.
Mr Ibu’s wife slammed AGN for lying about helping her husband and also noted that she was unhappy with how the AGN was using her husband.
Support
Help comes at last. According to reports, a former Senate President in Nigeria by name, Dr. Bukola Saraki have cleared the medical expenses of the ailing Mr Ibu through his foundation, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation.
It’s expected that this help will go a long way to save Mr Ibu from his desperate medical conditions as his family, fans and well-wishers have been praying for.