Nigerian celebrities rally to support ailing comedian, Mr Ibu
By Nambu Bernadette Franka
This is not a show of how rich they are or how they can be generous in public. If you have been following the Nigerian entertainment industry, you will know that celebrities always come up to help those who cry for help and make their problems public. Though the “cries for help” have often emanated from veteran actors and actresses, those in the music industry have always been up to help.
This week, many celebrities rallied to support renowned Nollywood actor and comedian, John Ikechukwu Okafor, affectionately known as Mr Ibu.
In a video shared on his Instagram page on October 18, 2023, he was seen pleading for support from an ailment that has made him hospitalized for two weeks and could lead to an amputation of his legs.
“While I am hoping for prayers and assistance as I speak to you, I am still lying down in the hospital. The medical director of this hospital said that in case his new idea does not work, the next idea is to cut off my leg. Just see me, if they cut off my leg where would I go? Pray for me, I don’t want my leg to be cut off, thank you so much, God bless you,” Mr. Ibu said in the video.
While Nigerians chide the Actors Guild of Nigeria, for not doing maximum to support legends like Mr. Ibu, celebrity Artists like Rudeboy, Davido, Peter Okoye, Obi Cubana, and Mr. Funny, have pledged their support to Mr Ibu.
Speaking in the comment section, Peter Okoye said; “I am pledging my 100% support to Mr Ibu. He has brought laughter and joy to countless people through his work, and it’s only fair that we rally around him in his time of need. This is a time for the entertainment industry to come together and support one of our own,”.
Rudeboy tagged Davido in the comment section “We are on it with @Davido” and he responded, “I dei with you, let me know,”.
Mr Ibu is a Nigerian Actor and comedian. He has acted in more than 200 movies including “Mr Ibu” in 2004 which made his Alias more popular than his real name. He also ventured into music for a short period of time.
The rally behind Mr. Ibu is one thing that is peculiar about Nigerian celebrities and this is not “audio money”. Cameroonian celebrities will have to pick pen and paper to take down notes on supporting one another instead of keeping tension among themselves on and off social media.
