Mr Ibu’s Children Quit School Amid Hardship

The family of late Nollywood comic actor John Ikechukwu Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu has appealed for public assistance after revealing that financial hardship has forced three of the actor’s children out of school and left the household struggling to meet basic living needs more than a year after his death.

The disclosure was made during a recent visit by content creator King Mitchy, who spent time with the family and documented their current living conditions.

According to family members, Mr Ibu’s only daughter and two sons are no longer attending school because outstanding fees can no longer be paid. They also revealed that their home has been without electricity for about two months and that they have resorted to fetching water from a well after running into financial difficulties.

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Speaking during the visit, the children’s mother described the challenges confronting the family since the death of the veteran actor.

She said unpaid bills and mounting expenses have made daily life increasingly difficult, adding that the family has struggled to maintain basic necessities.

“We fetch water from the well because I have not paid the house rent. They even cut my light since two months now. No light, and every night we go around looking for where to charge our phones. It has not been easy,” she said.

The emotional appeal highlighted the reality facing the family despite Mr Ibu’s status as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated comedians and actors.

His daughter, while thanking her mother for her sacrifices, appealed directly to Nigerians and members of the entertainment industry to come to their aid.

She praised her mother for doing everything possible to provide food, pay school fees in the past and keep the family together despite worsening financial pressure.

“I want to thank God for my mom. She has tried everything she can to feed us, pay our school fees and make us happy. Nigerians, if you were in the industry with my dad and you are seeing us now, please come and help us,” she pleaded.

The children’s mother also disclosed that the family recently received fresh reminders from the school over unpaid fees, raising concerns about when the children might be able to resume their education.

Mr Ibu, famous for his comic roles in dozens of Nollywood productions, battled health complications in the final months of his life. In November 2023, he underwent a leg amputation after a prolonged illness that required multiple surgeries.

The actor later died on March 2, 2024, at the age of 62 following a cardiac arrest in Lagos.

As the family continues to grapple with life after his passing, their appeal has sparked renewed conversations about welfare and support systems for the families of deceased entertainers in Nigeria.